​A MARGATE side packed with expensive new signings are in desperate trouble at the foot of the Ryman Premier League after a 3-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Waltham Abbey.

A scrappy goal at a corner gifted Abbey the lead midway through the first half and they missed the chance to double their advantage when Jamie Turner saved a penalty shortly after the break.

The referee missed a blatant handball at the other end and it cost Margate dearly when a Ricci Crace wonder-strike put Abbey two up.

A second 3-0 defeat in a week was sealed when the visitors struck again in the dying minutes.

New boys Jamie Turner, Grant Cooper, Jay Saunders, Nick Barnes and James Pinnock all started the game for Margate but relegation looks more and more likely for the league's bottom side who started the day eight points from safety.