Enfield Town extended their unbeaten Isthmian League Premier Division run to eight games but their beano to Margate was hugely frustrating after playing for almost the entire match against 10 men.
Gate's new signing Destiny Oladipo was sent off after picking up two yellow cards inside six minutes
Oliver Knight put Enfield in front 10 minutes later but Steve Cawley's penalty in first-half stoppage time was the final goal as, despite the visitors hitting the post twice and having a number cleared off the line, the game finished 1-1.
Manager Gavin Macpherson said: "It was two dropped points, no question, but we could also have lost the game.
"We created enough chances and second half got some structure into the game.
"But you have to give Margate credit. They put in a hell of a shift for their manager but when you play against 10 men you have to try and make the pitch big.
"It’s a collective responsibility and at times we had a bit of a mental block.
"There were some very tired legs out there after playing Thursday night, hence some tired final balls, but we’re not losing games at the moment.
"I’m not too down because it’s in our own hands.”
This was Town's third game in five days following the 3-2 Fenix Trophy win over Llantwit Major on Tuesday and a 1-0 success back in the Isthmian League on Thursday at Concord Rangers.
Macpherson only made two changes but Knight had already gone close after a neat exchange with Joe Payne before he finished coolly after Marcus Wyllie had turned his marker and played him in.
But despite their numerical disadvantage, Margate had two glorious chances, first when Ben Greenhalgh somehow shot wide, then when Rhys Forster pulled off a fantastic save.
Margate’s efforts paid off just before half-time, Cawley sending Forster the wrong way from 12 yards after Sam Youngs caught ex-Towner Lewis Knight with a flailing leg in trying to clear.
Whatever was said during the break worked though and Enfield played with so much more urgency in the second half, with chances coming rapidly.
Payne lashed a shot wide and Knight hit the side netting before substitute Jake Cass drove past his marker, only to see his shot blocked on the line.
The midway point saw the post rescue Margate when a curling effort from Youngs had home goalkeeper Harry Seaden beaten.
Margate still threatened on the break and Forster needed a strong hand to push another Greenhalgh drive away.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, the Gate midfielder he had a golden chance to win the game yet again missed the target.
There was time for one final Town foray in the seven minutes of stoppage time and twice Margate had to clear off the line.
The final attempt saw Seaden tip a fierce Wyllie drive over the top.
The result leaves Enfield third in the table and six points safely inside the play-off places with seven games remaining.
A Sam Bantick penalty was all Enfield could manage as they lost 4-1 to Gorleston in Isthmian League Division One North but Enfield Borough enjoyed a potentially vital 3-2 win in Eastern Counties League First Division South.
Kyle Finlayter-Lynch, Marco Magunga and Mario Stavrou got the goals to move them third from bottom and two points from safety.
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