Ramsgate manager Ben Smith says his side are favourites to beat Frome in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round

Ben Smith makes Ramsgate favourites for their FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie against Frome.

The winners of Saturday’s tie at Southwood will be 90 minutes away from the First Round Proper.

It’s an exciting prospect for Smith’s side, who overcame Isthmian Premier outfit Cray Wanderers 3-2 in a thrilling replay on Wednesday last week.

Having scored twice in the last four minutes to rescue a 2-2 draw in the first match, Joe Taylor gave Rams an early lead back at Southwood and an own goal made it 2-0.

This time Cray fought back but TJ Jadama scored the winner in the first minute of extra time.

Victory set up a meeting with Somerset club Frome, who play in Southern League South - the equivalent level to Isthmian South East Ramsgate.

“We’re at home, so we should be the favourites,” said Rams boss Smith.

“I’ve watched a lot of them since we got through.

“They’re in great form and they’ve got a great striker in James Ollis, so it’ll be a tough old game, but I’d make us favourites because we’re at home.

Procopi training with Gills

“I’d put it in the same category as the Cray game.

“I said that was a 50:50 game but in my head I was thinking we were favourites once we got them back to our place.”

The nature of the Cray victory - the late fightback in the first game and an extra-time winner in the replay - has got Ramsgate fans wondering whether it might be their year to reach the First Round Proper for the first time since 2005.

Smith said: “You do think like that but the opposition have also got that feeling it might be their year because they’ve been doing well as well.

“We were good in the replay.

“It was disappointing to draw in normal time, to be honest, because I thought we were good value to win the game.

“I thought we