Ramsgate manager Steve Lovell on their FA Cup exit at Rusthall and a busy bank holiday weekend in Isthmian South East

Manager Steve Lovell says he won’t be losing any sleep over Ramsgate’s FA Cup exit.

TJ Jadama gave Rams a half-time at lower-league Rusthall in Saturday’s preliminary round tie.

But the Southern Counties East side won 2-1 with a Louis Anderson free-kick and James White’s winner from a corner.

Lovell wanted to progress but is more concerned with learning lessons from the defeat going into a busy bank holiday weekend in Isthmian South East.

Rams, who have four points from two games after a goalless draw at Sittingbourne last Tuesday, visit Haywards Heath on Saturday and host Hythe on Monday (both 3pm).

“I don’t want to lose any game, it’s always disappointing to lose, but I won’t be losing any sleep over it,” said Lovell.

“I wanted to continue the momentum we’d built up in the first couple of games but there were two or three boys who hadn’t played yet this season, so I thought I’d give them a run-out to see if they were fit enough to be in consideration for next week.

“They got through the game OK, so from a positive point of view I know what I’ve got to work with.”

Ramsgate’s defeat was nothing to do with Lovell’s selection - more a case of bringing about their own downfall with the goals conceded.

They were good value for their half-time advantage but allowed Rusthall back in the game.

“It was a game of two halves,” said Lovell. “First half, we had enough chances to win two or three games.

“We didn’t take them and their keeper made a couple of great saves.

“Second half, we huffed and puffed and we’ve given them a couple of goals.

“I said at half-time the only way Rusthall will win this is if we give it to them and unfortunately that’s what we did - it’s two mistakes.

“The first one is a free-kick on the edge of our box