Isthmian League Round-up: Ramsgate beaten at Lancing, Sittingbourne up to third, Ashford and Herne Bay win – Folkestone draw, 10-man Margate beaten

Leaders Ramsgate suffered defeat for the first time in Isthmian South East since the opening day of the season on Saturday.

Ben Smith’s Rams were beaten 4-2 at Lancing despite heading into the break ahead. Ironically, their only other defeat in the league so far this season was by the same scoreline at Sevenoaks in August.

It ended a run of five successive league wins for Ramsgate. It had seemed to be a dream debut for new signing Jack S Paxman - formerly of Maidstone, Ebbsfleet and Eastbourne - when he scored after just two minutes.

Lukas Franzen-Jones put Lancing level but leading scorer Joe Taylor restored Ramsgate’s lead on 36 minutes. Three goals in 11 second-half minutes proved decisive as George Taggart, debutant Ben Pope and Charlie Bennett did the damage.

Second-placed Cray Valley were unable to close the gap after their scheduled trip to Hythe was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Mitchell May scored a hat-trick as Sittingbourne beat bottom side Beckenham 4-0 at Woodstock. Chris Harris was also on target.

Sheppey dropped out of the top five following their 3-1 loss at home to Chichester, despite leading at the break through Connor Wilkins’ early goal when a corner fell perfectly for him inside the six-yard box.

Isaac Bello scored twice after the break with Mo Jammeh adding a third at the death for the visitors as Sheppey tasted defeat for the first time in 10 games.

Ashford are five points outside the play-off places after Ian Draycott’s late winner was enough to defeat Three Bridges 3-2.

Danny Parish’s clever finish had given Ashford a first-half lead but Brannon O’Neill and Noel Leighton put Bridges ahead within eight minutes of the second half. Vance Bola restored parity on 72 minutes before Draycott’s