CRAIG Edwards said his Billericay side lacked “a cutting edge at home” after falling to another defeat at New Lodge.

Billericay suffered their second home loss in a week after a Jefferson Louis-inspired Margate battled to an impressive 2-0 win in a game of few chances.

Journeyman striker Louis, who was turning out for his 33rd club, scored both goals for Gate and was a threat all match, and only the width of the crossbar away from completing his hat-trick.

However, it was Billericay who made the early running. The hosts were incensed they weren’t awarded an early penalty when a terrific run by Evans Kouassi saw Joe Benjamin’s shot blocked by what appeared to be the arm of Jamie Stuart.

However, nothing was given and Margate went up the other end and took the lead.

Matt Bodkin ran at Paul Rodgers before cutting inside, feinting, and shooting at goal.

Billy Lumley could only palm the ball away and Louis was alert enough to head the loose ball past the scrambling keeper.

Isaac Layne should have equalised after 25 minutes when he was played clean through but he scuffed his shot and the chance was gone.

Louis, who has played for three clubs in the football league, almost doubled Margate’s advantage ten minutes before the break.

He dipped inside and bent a shot against the crossbar from 20 yards, after the deftest of touches from Lumley kept the ball out.

Billericay went into the break only one goal behind and had a golden chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty with 55 minutes on the clock.

Home captain Richard Halle was hauled down in the box but the usually reliable Glenn Poole saw his effort easily saved by Nikki Bull down to his right.

He was made to pay when, ten minutes later, the visitors were awarded a penalty of their own. Halle bundled over the pacey Bodkin after a break from the halfway line and Louis stepped up to send Lumley the wrong way.

Josh Ekim stung the palms of Bull but Billericay struggled to create any real chances after that and Margate held on for the victory.

Town boss Edwards said: “I felt until they scored the second we were the better side but after the second goal went in I saw the confidence drain out of the side.

“I haven’t got a clue why we have no confidence at home but we can turn that around.

“We are a very young side and I have a lot of belief in them, and come next year I think we will be a very good side.”