Ramsgate manager Ben Smith knows what it will take to win the Isthmian South East title after rescuing a draw against Sittingbourne

Ben Smith says Ramsgate must maintain the levels they showed in their fightback against Sittingbourne if they are to win the league title.

Rams trailed the Brickies 2-0 at half-time when second met third in Isthmian South East at Southwood on Easter Monday.

Joe Taylor replied from the penalty spot five minutes after the break and Joe Turner levelled in the 78th minute.

Ramsgate have fallen three points behind leaders Cray, with five games remaining, following the 2-2 draw.

But if they hit the heights they showed in the second half against Sittingbourne, there’s still all to play for.

“We’ve just got to worry about ourselves,” said Rams boss Smith, whose side visit Phoenix on Saturday (3pm).

“If we turn up like we did in the second half, we can beat anyone. If we don’t, we’re average.

“That energy and desire has to be there from minute one.

“If we don’t win the title, it won’t be because we drew with Sittingbourne, who are a very good side.

“It’ll be because we couldn’t keep a clean sheet at Horndean, we threw away the first game of the season at Sevenoaks and we couldn’t beat Merstham and Sheppey at home.

“There’s five games to go and a lot can happen.

“If Cray win all their games, you can only say well done, can’t you? I’m sure Steve McKimm (Millers boss) would say the same if it was the other way round.

“If we have to go through the play-offs, so be it.

“We’ve got players who can turn up in big moments, so we’ll see, but there’s still a long way to go in a short space of time.”

Smith felt he made a mistake by starting defender Craig Stone against Sittingbourne.

He had 17 stitches in his eyebrow after being caught by an elbow in Rams’ 2-1 win at Littlehampton on Good Friday.

The centre-back was feeling the effects and