AFC Totton 0 Ramsgate 1 FA Cup match report: Joe Taylor sends Rams through to the First Round Proper for the first time in 18 years

Ramsgate have reached the FA Cup First Round for the first time in 18 years after upsetting AFC Totton.

Joe Taylor had a first-half penalty saved but made amends with a brilliant second-half winner to send the Rams through.

It was his ninth goal in the competition this season.

Totton went for the jugular - Scott Rendell hitting the bar in the last minute of normal time - but Ramsgate dug in brilliantly to a man.

Mike West was ruled out through injury but Rams - backed by four coachloads of travelling fans - were otherwise at full strength for the final qualifying round tie.

Ramsgate may have been a division below their Southern League Premier South hosts but they have plenty of players who’ve been there and done it.

They made a bright start down in Hampshire, with a real good energy about their play as they moved the ball from side to side and looked to get after a home team featuring big names including Rendell and Sam Magri.

Totton grew into the contest and that’s where Joe Ellul came into his own, dominant aerially and when going to ground.

Jack Parter and Lee Martin blocked successive goalbound shots from Rendell and Leon Maloney as Totton twice threatened before Ramsgate were awarded a penalty following Luke Hallett’s foul on Jordan Green as he burst into the box.

Taylor stepped up but a weak penalty was easily saved by Stags keeper Lewis Noice.

Bode Anidugbe fired wide from the edge of the box after being forced the long way round as Ramsgate made a promising start to the second half.

And the visitors thought they should have had a second penalty when Taylor went down under challenge from Magri after Benny Bioletti pinched possession and crossed.

Rams keeper Tom Hadler made his first genuine save to keep out