Ramsgate have got into a handy habit of winning top-of-the-table games.

The Isthmian South East leaders made it a hat-trick of wins in first v second clashes by beating Chatham 2-0 on Monday.

A bumper crowd of more than 1,200 were at Southwood as second-half goals from Ben Fitchett and Ashley Miller sent Rams six points clear.

Boss Steve Lovell said: “Over the last month or so, we’ve played Ashford when they were second, Whitehawk when they were second and now Chatham, and beaten all three.

"It’s still very open - I still think it will go to the wire - but we can’t do any more than we’ve done so far.

“We knew we were going into a tough month in December and we got through that well, and January is going to be another tough month.

“We’ve got six games against teams in the top half and by the end of the month we’ll know where we are.

“We’ve had a good start and if we keep it going we’ll be in a good position.

"Everyone wants to knock you off the top, we go into every game knowing that.

“Sometimes it’s easier to come from behind than being top and trying to stay there but we’ll see where we are at the end of January.”

Ramsgate, 1-0 winners at Hythe on Boxing Day, made it maximum points over Christmas and New Year with victory over Chatham.

The visitors more than played their part in a high-quality game but it was Rams’ day in front of their home fans.

“It was a really good game against a good side,” said Lovell.

“They caused us problems in the first 20 minutes but once we got our tactics sorted out, I think we were well worthy of our win.

“If they’d scored in the first 20 minutes, it could have been different.

“There was a great atmosphere, everyone we spoke to enjoyed the game.

“Both teams tried to play football, both created chances, but the more the game went on, the stronger we got.

“Second half, we were definitely much stronger than them.

"Ultimately, it’s all about taking your chances and we took ours. The game was a good advert for the level.”

Ramsgate visit third-placed Cray Valley this Saturday (3pm), with Lovell set to name an unchanged team.

That’s followed by Beckenham away on Tuesday (7.45pm).

"Monday was the first time where I’ve had everybody available for selection,” said Lovell. "I had to leave a few boys out.

“I picked the same team as I did at Hythe and I’ll most probably do the same on Saturday.

“When the boys are doing well they expect to stay in the side and they will stay in the side.

“The boys who are out of the side at the moment will have to wait for their opportunity to get back in.

“It’s a healthy position for us to be in at the moment.

“Hopefully, we can get through this next month without any bans or injuries.”