Ramsgate manager Ben Smith calls for united front after rumblings of discontent from a minority of fans during 4-4 draw with Dartford

Ben Smith has called for unity as Ramsgate find their feet after a tricky start to life in the Isthmian Premier.

Boss Smith says the vast majority of fans have been fully behind the team amid a run of one win in five games since promotion.

But he was disappointed to hear negativity from others as Rams lost a 3-1 lead to draw 4-4 in an extraordinary Kent derby against Dartford on Bank Holiday Monday.

“It’s frustrating because the vast majority of the people at Ramsgate are right behind us but it’s the minority of voices you hear more, getting on individual players’ backs and slating the team,” said Smith.

“That doesn’t help when you’re trying to build a new group.

“The first sign of danger, you don’t need people ready to pile in, so that’s disappointing, but we’ve got to take that on the chin.

“The strong parts that I love about Ramsgate are it’s always been a club where you’re in it together.

“We need to remember that and we need to stick by that and keep that unity because, cliche or not, together stronger, is very true.

“We’ve not achieved what we’ve achieved and had the great moments we’ve had by having divisions.

“The overwhelming majority of people are really pulling in the same direction and want the same things, so we need that when things aren’t going amazingly.”

Ramsgate went into the Dartford match on the back of a 4-1 defeat at Cray Valley 48 hours earlier, Alfie Paxman scoring a penalty for the visitors.

Smith felt Rams were in the game but paid the price for “bad errors”.

They meet the Millers again on Saturday (3pm), this time at home, in the FA Cup first qualifying round.

Mitchell May scored a first-minute opener against Dartford and while Dan Smith scored a disputed leveller, with Rams calling for a foul