An emotional afternoon at Sheppey United saw legendary club figure Ernie Batten remembered on Saturday.

The Isthmian South East game against Deal was the Ites’ first since the club had announced the death of manager Ernie Batten, aged 67, last weekend.

A minute’s applause took place at Holm Park ahead of kick-off in memory of Batten, who was also a club director and played an immeasurable role in the club’s rebirth.

Striker Dan Bradshaw put Sheppey into a second-minute lead, only for goals from defender Josh Vincent, midfielder Ben Chapman (2) and forward Rory Smith past Sheppey’s debutant goalkeeper Lewis Briggs to have Steve King’s side 4-1 up by half-time.

After the restart, Bradshaw got his second, but that proved to be no more than a mere consolation effort.

Isthmian South East leaders Ramsgate maintained their advantage in the title race thanks to a 4-1 home win against Merstham.

Goals from defender Jay Leader and midfielder TJ Jadama put Ben Smith’s side in control inside the first 30 minutes.

While the Moatsiders pulled one back at Southwood through centre-back Matt Drage, midfielder Billy Munday restored the Rams’ two-goal cushion in the second half before substitute Josh Ajayi added an injury-time fourth.

Second-placed Sittingbourne beat Eastbourne 2-0 at home to keep the gap between themselves and Ramsgate at seven points.

Midfielder Troy Howard got things going for the Brickies at Woodstock on 26 minutes and striker Ade Azeez’s late penalty made sure of the points.

Fourth-placed Margate saw off basement boys Steyning Town Community to cruise to a 3-1 victory.

Wideman TT Walters bagged a first-half brace for Ben Greenhalgh’s men and striker Tom Derry also found the target after the interval, for his first club goal, leaving a strike by substitute Ethan Roberts a mere consolation.

Sevenoaks ran out 2-0 winners over second-bottom Lancing at home.

Striker Warren Mfula put Oaks ahead in first-half injury time and, after away goalkeeper Alieu Secka had been red-carded, there was a stoppage-time second for defender Tom Hanfrey.

Ashford shared the spoils from a four-goal game at relegation-threatened Phoenix Sports.

Veteran forward Jerson Dos Santos scored in the first half for Phoenix and quickly restored their lead on the hour - just a minute after defender Kane Penn had equalised for the Nuts & Bolts.

But Lloyd Hume’s outfit were not done as captain Gary Lockyer found the net to ensure it finished a 2-2 draw.

Herne Bay were beaten 2-0 at home by Isthmian South East play-off occupants Burgess Hill.

James Collins’ men had already seen midfielder Ethan Smith red-carded at Winch’s Field when Marcus Allen found the net in first-half injury time, with ex-Gillingham midfielder Chris Whelpdale adding a second for the Hillians shortly after the hour mark.

Mid-table Erith Town were held to a 1-1 stalemate at Littlehampton as James Dyer’s first-half effort was cancelled out after the interval.

Third-bottom Isthmian South East side Hythe are some nine points from safety, having been edged out 1-0 by East Grinstead at Reachfields.

Dartford hit the Isthmian Premier summit thanks to a 2-0 victory at second-bottom Bognor Regis.

With Billericay being beaten 3-1 at home by Wingate & Finchley, Ady Pennock’s outfit took full advantage.

Young defender Sam Odaudu gave them a sixth-minute advantage at Bognor and forward Callum Jones added a late second.

Luca Cocoracchio's first goal this season guided fifth-placed Dover to a sorely-needed home 1-0 Isthmian Premier win over struggling Dulwich Hamlet.

The defensive midfielder broke the deadlock in the 12th minute on the club’s latest community day, with Whites announcing the crowd as 3,021 at Crabble - an attendance seemingly bolstered by 1,000 free tickets being handed out to local schools and community groups.

They are now only two points behind fourth-placed Cray Valley, who lost 4-1 at Lewes despite substitute Adam Coombes’ first-half penalty.

Cray Wanderers started life without Neil Smith and under Tim O’Shea by consigning Bowers & Pitsea to Isthmian Premier relegation, courtesy of a 4-0 home victory.

Defender Ike Orji drew first blood in first-half stoppage time before versatile midfielder Nyren Clunis bagged a treble - his first club hat-trick - in the second period.

Folkestone suffered a 1-0 defeat at Cheshunt.

With Tim Dixon having completed his two-game stint at the helm after Andy Drury’s departure as manager earlier this month, it is understood chairman Josh Healey took charge from the dugout alongside injured midfielder Dean Rance and coach Andy Morris, an ex-player.

Chatham are eight points outside the play-off places, having extended their unbeaten streak to eight games in all competitions with a 1-0 weekend win at Hashtag United.

Young Gillingham loanee Harry Webster got the game’s only goal on the half-hour mark.