Missed chances again cost the Dons dear on the road despite out-playing an off-colour Margate in a match billed as the biggest test so far. Four golden opportunities came and went for the visitors to return from the Kent coast with a second away victory of the season. Yet despite still boasting an undefeated record it was another case of two points dropped as Robin Trott's Gate escaped with the draw that their lack of attacking threat and edgy defending hardly warranted.

Touted by most as the team to watch out for following a summer of shrewd business in the transfer market, many sides would class coming away from the three-sided Hartsdown Park as a result to boast about.

This, though, was not the case after a catalogue of blunders from Wimbledon's miss-firing forwards prevented Dave Anderson's men from closing the gap at the top of the table with a sit-up and take notice victory. But the positives from a sun-drenched day by the sea were, at the same time, crystal clear for the 600 travelling fans.

Margate - undoubtedly one of the Ryman League's most easy-on-the-eye sides with their attacking flair and free-scoring exploits so far this term - had their strikers kept under lock and key by a superb Dons backline not breached in the league or FA Cup since the August Bank Holiday trip to Walton. This game made it 531 minutes since a goal has been conceded and in truth Margate hardly looked like breaking through.

Anderson's after-match frustration was felt mainly due to the fact last Saturday's opponents were hit for six in their last league outing at Boreham Wood. Had Wimbledon taken their chances when they came, a repeat pummeling would likely have resulted. As well as the visitors played, it took them a while to pick up the pace of a game hardly helped by stop-start officiating and countless breaks to play.

The first shot of note came from the hosts - desperate to put their poor recent run behind them. The impressive Lee Protheroe - let's not forget last season a regular in Nationwide Conference National Gravesend & Northfleet's first team - couldn't keep his fierce half volley down when well-placed early on.

The Dons then cranked up the pressure and tidy passing put in Steve Wales, whose ambitious 35-yarder drifted well wide. The hit and hope, despite leaving the England National Game international a tad red-faced, lifted the tempo after a dreary opening.

Then after 19 minutes it was head in hands time. From Micky Haswell's left-wing corner, the ever-reliable Antony Howard sent the ball into the danger-zone with venom but Roscoe Dsane could not find the finish to match his expert control, blazing high and wide. It was a let off for Gate but five minutes later came a get out of jail free moment for the Dons. Protheroe's corner, followed by an uncharacteristic Howard slip, gave player-boss Trott a clear sight of goal. But unlike Roscoe his control let him down, miss-kicking from seven yards out.

With the half hour looming Margate keeper and undisputed man of the match Scott Chalmers-Stevens showed exactly why Football League clubs have had their eye on him. His save from Wales was not only instinctive but point-blank - the stopper clawed away the midfielder's drive and preserved parity in fine fashion. But the stunning stop couldn't disguise the frustration. Wimbledon by now should have been ahead and on their way to their first away victory since the season's opening day win at Carshalton.

After the break Bryon Bubb exploded onto the scene and twice came close to forging a way through. First, his swirling free-kick made Chalmers-Stevens think fast and then he just failed to get enough purchase on his lob as Margate survived once more. Richard Butler, with four minutes to go, should have sent the travelling support home hoarse but somehow failed to convert when put through one-on-one. Chalmers-Stevens must take a well-deserved bow, narrowing the angle after the 21-year-old breached the offside trap with his usual burst of energy.

But, despite his heroics, you couldn't help but wonder what if after a day of near misses, superhuman goalkeeping and Dons dithering let Margate off the hook.