Steve Lovell is aiming to sign a new striker after Ramsgate lost their unbeaten record.

Rams’ lead at the top of Isthmian South East is down to three points after a 2-1 home defeat by Sheppey on Saturday.

Boss Lovell has limited options up front with Kane Rowland joining Jordan Chiedozie on the sidelines.

He’s hoping to have a new man in place for this Saturday’s game at East Grinstead.

“We need to get another forward in,” said Lovell. “Kane’s out for another week and if he’s not there, we are light.

“It’s something I’m looking to address and I’ve got someone in mind, it’s just a case of trying to get it sorted.

“It’s just the way it’s gone with injuries. We’ve got 21 signed on and we had seven out on Saturday.

“As I said before, the boys have done well but when you lose players during a game, like we did last Saturday and this Saturday, it hits your numbers.

“Once we get everyone back, we’ll be great.”

Lovell was gracious in defeat after Rams were beaten by Sheppey.

The hosts had two big penalty appeals turned down in a goalless first half before trailing to a Rodney Adamon-Eruotor double.

Theo Osinfolarin pulled one back but Rams, after five wins and two draws, suffered their first defeat.

Lovell said: “I thought we played well in the first half, we created a few chances and had a couple of stonewall penalties not given, which gives the opposition a lift.

“One’s a handball where the ball bounces up and hits the fella on the hand and the second one, Jake McIntyre has been booted on his calf.

“Sheppey grew into the game and scored a very good goal, which you can’t do anything about.

“The second one was a mistake by us, and at 2-0 down it’s hard to come back.

“We got one back, and could have got an equaliser, but Sheppey deserved to win - they were a good side.

“It could have gone the other in the way first half if we’d taken our chances and had a couple of decisions go our way but I’ve got to be honest, and all credit to Sheppey.

“They knocked the ball about very brightly, and scored a great goal, I’m just disappointed with the way defended the second, because we’ve given them the ball. That’s the first time we’ve done that this season but we’ll learn from it.

“It’s our first defeat, we have to take it on the chin and move on.”

With the unbeaten record gone, a target has been removed from Ramsgate’s back.

They remain top, with VCD their nearest rivals after winning at Beckenham, but that isn’t the be-all and end-all at this stage of the season.

“Sometimes it’s best to come from behind rather than being top,” said Lovell.

“You can’t help it if you are top, because you’ve won your games, but the last 10 games are the most important and the last five or six are against teams who are expected to be up there.

“It’s important to pick up points and stay in the group but there’s a long way to go. We’ve only played eight games.”