Herne Bay 3 Ramsgate 1

RICHARD SINDEN came back to haunt his old boss Jim Ward and leave the Go Travel Kent League title race wide open by scoring twice as Herne Bay beat leaders Ramsgate in front of a crowd of more than 400 on Tuesday night.

Sinden played two and half years under Ward at Maidstone before his surprise release by the County Town club two months ago.

He fired Bay in front after 22 minutes, before defender Steve Lloyd added the second, seven minutes later, after Rams goaleeper Danny Twyman had failed to hold a shot from league top scorer Danny Kedwell, who also played under Ward at Maidstone.

Sinden added his second on 68 minutes to put Bay 3-0 in front, before Mo Takaloo pulled one back with a minute left. There was still time for Sinden to miss a great chance of a hat-trick, only to shoot wide.

The win leaves Ramsgate three points clear with two games left, and a better goal difference They visit bottom club Lordswood on Saturday, finishing the season at home to Maidstone the following week.

Bay visit Hythe at the weekend and end their campaign at Tunbridge Wells.