Striker Rowan Liburd is too good to be playing in Isthmian South East, according to Ramsgate boss Jamie Coyle.

Liburd has bagged his first two goals for the Rams in their past two fixtures.

The 30-year-old got off to a subdued start at Southwood, having joined from National League South Cheshunt, where he had scored 25 goals in 39 games, but now seems to be finding his groove.

“He’s far superior to this level,” said Coyle.

“His work ethic and quality are just phenomenal. He has one of the best attitudes I’ve worked with.

“As a team, we need to get him in the right positions more and get more service to him. Ashley Miller did that on Saturday.

“We need to put a bit more quality into him.

"If we do that, he will be a real handful for any defence in the league.”

Liburd’s second-half strike added to the opener from fellow forward Gil Carvalho and, despite VCD - being led by Michael Power after the recent departure of Grant Basey as their boss - getting one back in the 87th minute, they left empty-handed.

Coyle was pleased with a much-improved defensive display.

He reflected: “They’re not in a great run of form at the moment.

“But we played them earlier in the season and they caused us loads of problems, and we were lucky to get a 2-2 [draw].

“It was important to get the result. The result is the most important thing between now and the end of the season.

“I was pleased, not as much going forward, but more defensively. We worked hard at training to try to be hard to break down.

“VCD didn’t create much. They got a little bit of a fortunate goal late on but we probably deserved a clean sheet.”

Coyle also praised midfielder Blaise Riley-Snow, who put in an impressive debut for the Isthmian South East frontrunners.

He has plenty of experience and has played in Scotland for Raith Rovers and Alloa Athletic.

“He was outstanding for someone we have only had for a couple of training sessions with the boys,” noted Coyle.

“He looked really composed and comfortable on the ball.

"Defensively, he looked good as well. That was really pleasing.”

Defender Callum Emptage was an unused substitute against VCD - but now, he’s also helping out Coyle and assistant Nicky Southall on the strength and conditioning side of things, too.

Coyle explained: “It’s just given him a bit more responsibility.

“He has organised nutrition talks and just added that extra 5 or 10 per cent. It’s something I think we needed to add.

“It allows myself and Nicky to look at the tactical side and Callum can bring that side, as well as real quality on the pitch.

"The players have responded to that as well.”

Ramsgate visit Lancing, a side who could yet be sucked into one of the two relegation play-off places, after three successive defeats. But Coyle won’t be underestimating them.

He said: “It’s always difficult, isn’t it?

“It’s similar to VCD - they hadn’t won in nine before we played them. It’s always a potential banana skin.

“We need to be really at it again because they will be difficult to break down.”