EX-EASTLEIGH marksman Ben Wright was the hero as Gosport Borough put a nightmare week behind them to see off Margate 1-0 in the National League South.

An early FA Cup exit at Weymouth and the frustrating postponement of their midweek Hampshire Cup tie at Eversley & California had made for an unsatisfactory build-up to yesterday's game.

But Borough dug deep to mine three precious home league points.

Wright, Ollie Bailey and Brett Poate were brought in at the expense of Mike Carter, Warren Bentley and Sam Pearce.

Gosport rode their luck in the first half when Michael Thalassitis’s struck the woodwork and Margate couldn’t capitalise on the subsequent goalmouth scramble.

With 25 minutes to go, ex-Winchester striker Bentley replaced the tiring Bailey and set up a chance for Wright, whose finish was wayward.

But, with 12 minutes to go, Wright got another opportunity and this time he converted from close range after Bentley’s initial effort had been blocked.

Bentley went close to adding a stoppage-time second but his shot clipped the woodwork.

Gosport are 11th, six places behind league newcomers Poole Town who entered the play-off zone with a last-gasp 2-1 home win over Welling United.

Having succumbed to a 17th-minute Dean Morgan penalty, the Dolphins levelled through defender Jamie Whisken and it was super sub Sam Surridge, an AFC Bournemouth loanee, who grabbed the 90th-minute winner.