Enfield Town were left hanging on against Margate despite a lightning-quick start putting them ahead inside a minute at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Saturday, with Taylor McKenzie’s 64th-minute winner eventually securing a 2-1 win.

Town found themselves in front with just 40 seconds on the clock through Mickey Parcell, who was left unmarked from Aaron Greene’s low cross.

A flurry of attacks could have made it more before Margate began growing into the game, and Frannie Collin levelled six minutes into the second half from a scrappy equaliser.

But into the final half-hour, McKenzie’s header from a Sam Youngs free-kick restored the hosts’ lead, to give them back-to-back wins and lift them up to 12th in the Bostik Premier League table.

Having taken that early lead, Parcell was close to completing a brace inside five minutes, but headed just beyond the post.

Montel Moore then saw a shot cleared off the line by Ben Swift - but just as the hosts wondered whether their onslaught could continue, Margate began to build a foothold.

David Martin had their first effort, which was deflected kindly into Joe Wright’s hands.

They came inches from equalising when a free-kick evaded everyone in the box - but Town still had chances of their own, with Moore and McKenzie missing decent chances.

Margate emerged stronger for the restart and Matt Brodkin fired a warning shot when he warmed Wright’s gloves moments later.

It was not heeded as they levelled with only five minutes gone after the break, when Frannie Collin and Darren Purse tussled for a ball delivered from the Margate left.

Who got the final touch was left up for discussion, but the visitors deserved their equaliser.

The goal spurred on both teams, and Margate nearly completed a turnaround when Tom Wynter rose highest from a corner, but nodded just over.

If that was the wake-up call, then Enfield finally responded to it. McKenzie headed home Youngs’ free-kick which had been perfectly delivered, and Town found themselves back in the driving seat.

After that, Margate’s confidence began to desert them, despite coming into the game on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, and Town flexed their muscles as Ryan Blackman fired in an effort from distance.

Simon Thomas was also played through in the final five minutes, but when finding himself one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper, lost his composure and allowed Patrick Lee to come off his line and smother.

Harry Stannard had yet another chance to wrap up victory but his header somehow missed the target from Martin’s pinpoint cross.

The result lifts Enfield up to 12th and the top half, a point behind their conquests and six off the Bostik Premier League play-off spots.

And their victory will serve as a timely confidence boost ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash at Maidstone United, and the chance to reach the first round for the first time in the club’s history.

Enfield Town: Wright, Parcell (Kyriacou 77), Rumens, Purse, McKenzie, Martin, Blackman, Youngs, Moore (Blake 80), Thomas, Greene (Noto 85).

Not used: Bartley, Ward-Cochrane.