Herne Bay claimed a fourth successive Isthmian South East victory to move into the play-off places.
Bay won 2-0 at Phoenix Sports thanks to a goal in either half from leading scorer Michael Salako – taking his tally for the season to 17.
Leaders Ramsgate saw their trip to Horndean postponed due to a frozen pitch, enabling second-placed Cray Valley to close the gap to 11 points with three games in hand.
Steve McKimm’s men won 1-0 at third-placed Lancing thanks to a second-half winner by Marcel Barrington.
Sheppey are up to sixth following a late winner at home to Littlehampton Town.
Dan Bradshaw’s close-range header from a free-kick put the Ites ahead early in the second half.
Brad Dolaghan levelled for the visitors before birthday boy James Taylor converted Danny Leonard’s cross in the 90th minute.
There were defeats for Ashford United – 1-0 at home to East Grinstead – and bottom side Beckenham, who went down 4-0 at Chichester.
Mark Stimson’s winless start to life as Margate manager continued after his team lost 2-0 at home to Bognor in Isthmian Premier.
Gate remain three points outside the drop zone after second-half goals from Tommy-Lee Higgs and Dan Clifford proved decisive.
Folkestone picked up a point at lowly Haringey Borough after a goalless draw in north London. Dean Rance and Louis Collins both made substitute appearances for Invicta after joining the club earlier this week.
Chatham’s trip to Wingate & Finchley proved a fruitless one as the referee deemed the pitch unplayable while Cray Wanderers’ clash at Whitehawk was also postponed.
