Ramsgate must solve their defensive problems before head coach Lloyd Blackman will blood the club’s talented youngsters in the first team.

Blackman is excited by some of the players coming through the Rams youth system but is determined not to hinder their progress by throwing them into senior football too soon.

Ramsgate crashed out of the FA Trophy on Saturday, losing 5-3 at home to Bury Town, a result which took their goals-against tally to 41 from just 15 games in all competitions.

Blackman said: "None of the players cheat me but defensively, throughout the team, we need to drastically improve. We can’t keep relying on three goals from our strikers to get us results. It’s an issue that needs addressing.

"We have a fantastic youth set-up. I look through the under-23s and there’s players with superb ability that will play for the first team.

"But it’s weighing up the right time to play those young kids, to be able to help them develop. When we’re conceding a few goals, is it the right time to play those kids?

"When you look through our academy, there’s boys that are featuring in the first team now and that’s the lifeblood, that’s what’s sustainable for Ramsgate Football Club.

"But that doesn’t mean we don’t concentrate on the short term because a manager or head coach is judged on results. Our goals-against column is far too high."

Ramsgate, who lost 3-0 at Greenwich on Tuesday night, are 18th in Bostik South ahead of Saturday's home game against Horsham, who are level on points with Blackman's side.