Manager Ben Smith draws on Isthmian South East play-off success with Herne Bay as Ramsgate face Chichester in semi-finals

Ramsgate boss Ben Smith knows what it takes to win the Isthmian South East play-offs.

Smith did it with Herne Bay two years ago and can draw on that experience as he bids to lead Rams to the Isthmian Premier.

They host Chichester tonight (7.45pm) after finishing runners-up behind champions Cray Valley.

Rams had a mathematical chance of winning the league on the last day but, realistically, Smith knew what was coming.

It’s a second successive play-off campaign for the Rams, who lost on penalties to Hythe last season under ex-manager Jamie Coyle.

“I think we got over not winning the league two weeks ago,” said Smith.

“I’m not stupid, I knew what was going to happen – we’ve been preparing for the play-offs.

“We came here to get promoted and we’ve put ourselves in a great position to do that.

“Let’s see where these next two games take us.

“We’ve got a lot of experience in the play-offs, players who’ve won play-offs at different levels, so we’re not going in with any fear.

“We’ll attack it and if we come up short it won’t be for the want of any attacking intent.

“We won the play-offs at Herne Bay.

“Nerves are what they’re all about - we have to play with no fear.

“Ramsgate got to the play-offs last year and didn’t go up.

“What’s the worst that can happen?

“We’ve got to go for it. I’d rather go out of the play-offs having gone for it than go out through being nervy and tight.

“That’s not in our nature so we’ve hopefully got two big games coming up and we’re raring to go.

“People talk about a hangover from the league but since that Cray game two weeks ago (2-2 draw that put the title in the Millers’ hands), I’ve very much been talking to the players about the play-offs. It’s not a shock to us.”

Ramsgate won 4-2 at Chichester 10