An impressive second half display from Herne Bay gave them all three points against local rivals Ramsgate as their playoff bid continues.

Ramsgate manager Simon Halsey, taking charge of his side for just the third time at Southwood Stadium since he was appointed in January made two changes from the Rams team who lost 2-1 to Three Bridges during the week, Tom Hickman came in for Curtis Robinson whilst Aaron Quain took the place of Flavious Fedor as they looked for replacements for the injured James Sherman.

Ramsgate began the game in 23^rd place in the Ryman South, just one place away from safety as opportunities to pick up points begin to run out as the end of the season closes in.

In comparison, Herne Bay began the day looking to extend their 5 game unbeaten streak which stretched back to the 17^th of January. They sat in 8^th place with the playoff places just 5 points away. Sam Denley only made one change from the Bay’s most recent game, a 0-0 draw with title chasing Merstham, this came in the form of Steven Ita replacing Danny Williams whilst new signing Danny Spiller began within the substitutes.

In a first half with few chances, neither side were able to get a shot on target, despite this, both teams were looking to take the lead, early on some good build up play from Herne Bay’s Gary Sayer and Joe Nelder on the left wing ended with Nelder getting a shot away which was well blocked by Luke Wheatley.

Wheatley came to Ramsgate’s rescue again later in the half when he blocked Steven Ita’s shot after the attacker made a powerful run into the penalty area.

Ramsgate came back later in the half when Aaron Quain’s free kick fell to Junior James at the Far post but the striker watched his header loop over Jack Delo’s goal. Soon after tom Chapman’s cross from the right flew across the goalmouth before it was cleared away for a corner meaning the game remained goalless as the second half began.

Despite the hosts dominating possession in the opening minutes of the second half, it was Herne Bay who took control of the game. Early in the second half a cross from Sam Hasler was headed just wide by Mark Lovell before Hasler took on the Ramsgate defence alone, after cutting inside his shot was deflected wide of the goal.

The game’s first shot on target came from Herne Bay’s Mark Lovell who beat the Rams’ offside trap before firing a shot straight at Adriano Varner.

Herne Bay’s pressure continued when another quick, powerful run from Steven Ita ended with him being brought down by Freeman Rodgers in the penalty area but, after stepping up to take the spot kick, Danny Walder hit the post, keeping the game level with just under 70 minutes gone.

However, Walder made up for his mistake just six minutes after his penalty miss when his free kick from the left wing flew over Adriano Vernier’s head before dropping underneath the crossbar to give the visitors the lead with just over 15 minutes remaining.

Herne Bay didn’t need to worry about a Ramsgate comeback as, just 5 minutes later Stuart King took the ball from just outside the penalty area, tuned and scooped a perfect pass into the path of Danny Spiller and the substitute slid his effort below the goalkeeper to score a debut goal and extend his side’s lead.

King, who set up Spiller for Herne Bay’s second goal could have got his team’s third of the afternoon but after being let loose from a through ball from midfield and putting the ball past Varnier, the ball was controversially brought back for offside, meaning that the Bay could go back down the Thanet Way with all three points.

Those points mean that Herne Bay remain in eighth place in the Ryman South and remain 5 points off the playoffs, they will now prepare for the visit of fourth place Folkestone Invicta which will undoubtedly be a tough game.

Another defeat for Ramsgate keeps them second from bottom and one game from safety, but with Redhill having three games in hand the task looks tough for Simon Halsey’s team as their search for safety continues; their task will be made no easier next week when they travel to runaway leaders Burgess Hill Town.

Ramsgate: Varner, Rogers, Elliott, Hickman, McGeehan, Wheatley, Chapman, Murray, James, Taylor (Jackson), Quain (Fedor)

Subs not used: Knight, Crawford, Shaw

Herne Bay: Delo, M Turner, Sayer, Johnson, Quinn, Eastwood, Walder, Nelder (King), Ita (Casey), Lovell (Spiller), Hasler

Subs not used: J Turner, Brown

Referee: Mr G Maskell

Assistants: Mr P Greenfield, Mr C Richards