Substitute Joe Taylor scored the winner in the sixth minute of added time as Ramsgate twice fought back to beat Sheppey in the FA Trophy.

Dan Carr’s first-half opener for the Ites was cancelled out by Josh Ajayi midway through the second period.

Jacob Lambert quickly restored Sheppey’s lead but Lewis Gard levelled two minutes from time and goal machine Taylor coolly sent his side through to the second qualifying round at the death.

In a clash of two sides boasting 100% records in Isthmian South East, Ramsgate made all the early running.

With Lee Martin named in the starting XI after rejoining from Ashford, the visitors dominated possession.

They popped the ball about for fun and it appeared Sheppey were happy to cede possession as they sat off in the first 15 minutes and allowed Ramsgate to dictate.

Vance Bola brushed the side-netting for Ben Smith’s side after a Martin free-kick was headed out to the edge of the area before Sheppey came to life.

Lambert fired inches over from the edge of the area after Gil Carvalho got the better of Roarie Deacon and laid the ball off inside.

Further chances followed in quick succession with skipper Danny Leonard’s shot blocked after cutting inside on his left foot and Jordy Ndozid’s 25-yard drive saved low at his post by Tom Hadler.

With the hosts’ tails up, they took the lead in the 26th minute.

Carr was alert to pounce on a back-header in the Ramsgate midfield and continued his run before beating Hadler.

Leonard’s deflected strike flashed past the far post after good work by Carr, while another Lambert strike was blocked by Jay Leader as Sheppey went for a second.

Ramsgate came back into the game and finished the half strongly with several opportunities.

That included a double chance that saw Bola’s strike brilliantly blocked on the line, with keeper Aiden Prall doing equally well to keep out Ajayi’s follow-up.

Prall also denied Ajayi, when played in by the lively Benny Bioletti, and made a fine low save from Bola, while Joe Ellul’s goalbound header was blocked by James Taylor.

Hadler made a double save from Carvalho’s curling effort and Carr’s follow-up at the start of the second half.

Prall made further saves from Deacon and a Martin free-kick before Bola narrowly missed the target after Ramsgate opened up the Sheppey defence.

Ramsgate, having just introduced Taylor and Gard, saw their pressure pay off with a 66th-minute equaliser.

Martin walked away from a 30-yard free-kick, leaving it to Ajayi, and he beat Prall with a superb strike.

Back came Sheppey, though, regaining the lead just three minutes later with Lambert brilliantly bending the ball beyond Hadler into the far corner following a corner from the right.

Ajayi missed a golden chance to level at the back post moments later after Ramsgate got away down the flank.

But after Prall saved Ajayi’s latest free-kick, Ramsgate kept play alive and Gard pounced for an 88th-minute equaliser after Taylor sent the ball goalwards.

The goal was allowed to stand despite strong Sheppey protests.

Ramsgate’s winner followed with Taylor finding the bottom corner with his left foot after exchanging passes with Tom Clifford.

Sheppey: Prall, Itauma, Majoyegbe, Christie, Leonard, Lambert, Carvalho (Aiyelabola 81mins), Ndozid (Goueth 73mins), Olorunnisumo (Hogben 90+3mins), Carr (Bradshaw 73mins), Taylor. Subs not used: None.

Ramsgate: Hadler, Carlse, Leader, Ellul (Judd 74mins), Deacon, Martin (Clifford 83mins), Elito (Gard 65mins), Jadama, Biloetti (Paxman 83mins), Bola (Taylor 64mins), Ajayi. Subs not used: None.

Referee: Teddy Osborne.

Attendance: 362.