Ramsgate were knocked out of the FA Trophy on Saturday in the third qualifying round against Bishop’s Stortford.

Ryman League Division 1 South side Ramsgate were beaten 3-0 at home against higher league opponents from Blue Square South.

The Rams started the match well but were two goals behind at the break. The opener came against the run of play on 28 minutes when a slip by Jason Dolby allowed Ashley Nicholls in and he beat keeper Danny Twyman.

Stortford’s lead was doubled four minutes before the half-time interval when a defensive blunder left Hassan Sulaiman in the clear and he netted.

Ramsgate had chances in the second half, with keeper Nicky Eyre saving well from Dolby’s half volley, while a shot from Will Graham was blocked by what some thought was an arm, but the referee waved play on.

The visitors finished the game off late on, after 82 minutes, when Louis Riddle found himself unmarked and from close range added the third – finally ending the Rams’ hopes of making the first round proper for the first time.