Ramsgate boss Lee Martin reacts to 3-2 Isthmian Premier defeat at champions Folkestone Invicta

Lee Martin got the reaction he was after from his Ramsgate players in their derby defeat to Isthmian Premier champions Folkestone Invicta on Easter Monday.

The Rams suffered a second 3-2 loss of the season to Jay Saunders’ side at Cheriton Road, having also been edged out by them by the same scoreline at Southwood in late December.

Midfielder Billy Munday and the recalled Solomon Ogunwomoju struck for a depleted Ramsgate team as the match sat level at 2-2 at half-time.

But Invicta’s on-loan Bromley loanee Nathan Paul-Lavaly put them back ahead before visiting midfielder Eze Ebuzoeme was red-carded by referee Kane Dempster for a high foot on forward Ade Yusuff.

Nevertheless, it was a much-improved performance from the Rams after a 1-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Cray Valley on Easter Friday.

Manager Martin, who was Ramsgate's sole unused substitute at Folkestone, said: “I was really proud of their performance.

“Against the champions, they held their own and put in a fitting performance. That’s what we were after on the back of Friday where we didn’t show anywhere near our capabilities - and we let the fans down. We were very mindful of that, coming into Monday.

“We wanted a performance. We knew it would be a tough ask, coming here, just purely based on how light we are, as well. We had three on the bench (four including Martin himself) and a couple of the boys were nursing knocks and niggles.

“We, really, are all just trying to get through to the end of this season. That’s the nuts and bolts of it.

“Playing Folkestone and the likes of Cray, who are fighting for their lives, and a Billericay team that are in the play-off mix, it isn’t the best time to be playing them. But that’s life.

“It’s what football is all