Ramsgate midfielder Denzelle Olopade hasn't had the plaudits he deserves this season.

That’s the view of manager Matt Longhurst, who has seen the former Crystal Palace youth-team player shine at Southwood.

The youngster was named man-of-the-match for the second week running as Rams won 2-1 at Burgess Hill in Isthmian South East on Saturday.

There’s been plenty of focus on team-mate Josh Ajayi, whose exploits led to a trial at Tottenham, but Olopade has been playing just as well, if not better, in recent weeks.

“Josh has taken the limelight but Denzelle’s been out-performing him,” said Longhurst, whose third-placed side go to Haywards Heath tonight.

“He’s been our best player by an absolute country mile in the last two games, he’s improved over the course of the season and he’s starting to attract interest now.

“We’ve got him on a two-year deal but you don’t get many 6ft 4in 19/20-year-old central midfield players who can do a bit of everything.

“He’s learning the game as well in non-league, winning your headers and your tackles, but he’s got a very bright future.

“At the moment he’s not had the plaudits he deserves but that’s also helped us keep him level-headed.

“It’s no good being man-of-the-match twice and then being four out of 10 the next game, you’ve got to replicate your form.

“But he can run, he can pass, he can head it, he’s got a chance of having a really good career.”

Ramsgate showed a different side to their game in coming from behind to win 2-1 at Burgess Hill.

Both goals came from set-pieces, Ollie Bate with the equaliser and centre-half Callum Emptage with a last-minute winner.

“It’s unlike us to score twice from set-pieces but it’s something we worked on in the week,” said Longhurst.

“We tend to score the perfect goal a lot of the time, total football and a cross and finish or a bit of individual skill but if we’re going to do well, we need to add small percentages like causing teams problems from set-pieces and also defending our box better from them.

“We’ve scored a lot of goals this season but probably only three from set-pieces and if we can add to that, it gives us a better chance of winning games.

“We’re not perfect, we need to improve, but it wasn’t a criticism of the players, it was a case of me saying, right, let’s sit down and look at things we can do better.”

Ramsgate were hoping to sign a forward in time for the Haywards Heath game, with injured striker Tom Bradbrook set for a groin operation.

If not, Longhurst wants someone in place for this Saturday’s home game against his former club, Corinthian.

“We need to get a forward in because we’re light on options in that area,” he said.

“We’ve got two or three irons in the fire, it depends if clubs are going to make us wait seven days to speak to players.

“Tom’s had a private scan and he needs an operation.

“Hopefully we’ll have him back for the last four weeks of the season - he can still be a big player for us.

“We’re looking forward to being back at home on Saturday after three away games, in front of a big crowd.

“We were poor at Corinthian earlier this season (2-1 defeat), it was a rubbish game, and we’ll need to perform better.

“They’re a hardworking side who’ve been together a long time and they know each other’s game.”