Ramsgate defender Raphe Brown on his Isthmian Premier play-off hopes and signing a contract extension at Southwood

Ramsgate defender Raphe Brown is targeting an Isthmian Premier play-off push in the second half of the season.

Rams are 10 points off the top five in 14th place after losing a derby thriller 3-2 at home to Folkestone last weekend.

But they pushed the runaway leaders all the way, beaten by an injury-time goal after fighting back from 2-0 down, and Brown feels the team are good enough to go on a run.

Ramsgate were just outside the relegation zone when Ben Smith stepped down as manager at the start of November and moved into the top half with 10 points out of 12 in the first four games under his successor, Lee Martin.

The Rams have since dropped back into mid-table after five matches without a win - three draws and two defeats - and start the new year at Dartford this Saturday (3pm).

“We’re aiming for the play-offs - that’s where we want to be,” said Brown. “That’s the target to aim for.

“Obviously we didn’t start the season too well, and we’ve had a little blip, but we keep plugging away game by game and we have to work our way up the table.

“That’s our main focus, to win every game we can, home and away, and keep climbing. The gap isn’t too big.

“If we play like we did against Folkestone week in, week out, we’ll be fine.”

Brown has impressed since joining Ramsgate from Maidstone last summer, already signing a contract extension until the end of next season.

He’s enjoying working under Martin as the new manager puts his stamp on things at Southwood, signing his own players and gradually adapting the team’s style of play.

“It’s been good,” said Brown.

“He trusts me, the club trust me and I think I’ve been playing well and enjoying my football, playing with a smile on my face and looking forward to every game.

“Ben brought