An early red card proved key as Ramsgate saw off higher-division Folkestone in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday.

After Isthmian Premier Invicta had Eze Ebuzoeme dismissed inside the first 10 minutes, midfielder Lewis Gard put the Rams - who reached the second round proper of the competition during a memorable run last term - ahead in first-half stoppage time.

Alfie Paxman doubled Isthmian South East side Ramsgate’s lead and, although Dan Smith got one back for Invicta, Paxman swiftly made it 3-1 late on.

Home defender Aaron Barnes had to be alert to produce a sixth-minute clearance at the back post to clear during a lively start at Southwood in front of a crowd of 1,016.

But three minutes later, Folkestone were reduced to 10 men as the complexion of the tie totally changed.

TJ Jadama burst through from midfield and, with keeper Jonny Henly in no man’s land, Ebuzoeme brought Jadama to ground, leaving referee Josh Langley-Fineing with little choice but to issue a red card.

The resultant free-kick from Josh Ajayi whistled wide of Henly’s right-hand post.

Left winger Paxman was next to go close for Ramsgate with 17 minutes played as he shot straight at Henly.

Ex-Tonbridge goalkeeper Henly then made an excellent save, getting down low well.

The hosts’ skipper, Joe Taylor, had a free-kick inside the area charged down after Henly was penalised - but not booked - for time-wasting.

Ramsgate goalkeeper Tom Hadler was finally called into action on 39 minutes when he thwarted Evans Kouassi after a long Gavin Hoyte free-kick had fallen kindly to him.

But Ben Smith’s side finally went in front in first-half stoppage time. Henly got down well to save Tom Clifford’s long-range drive but Gard was on hand to hammer in.

Inside 90 second-half seconds, the Rams twice almost doubled their lead.

Ajayi struck the post, with Henly beaten, having also seen Taylor unable to get the ball under his spell in the box.

Just before the hour, Folkestone forward Tom Derry had a good opportunity, dragging wide with a shot which grazed Hadler’s right-hand post.

The 63rd minute saw Hadler have to be extremely alive to palm away Matthew Young’s in-swinging corner.

Three minutes later, Taylor finally found space, although Henly was equal to his effort.

But the home team did double their tally with 20 minutes to go. TT Walters had an instant impact off the bench and Taylor kept the ball alive for Paxman, who thrashed in against his former club.

Andy Drury’s men gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Smith sent substitute Chris Sessegnon’s cross past Hadler for his fourth goal this campaign.

But straight from the kick-off, Paxman kept his cool to round Henly for his second and his team’s third as they maintained their perfect start to the season.

The victory saw the Thanet team pocket £2,250. They now await the draw for their second qualifying round opponents.

The Rams made three changes to their starting line-up from the team which were 4-2 winners at Deal on Bank Holiday Monday.

Medy Elito, Ajayi and Roarie Deacon replaced Benny Bioletti, Tom Carlse and Joe Ellul.

Ramsgate also had newly-signed former Welling and Dover defender Myles Judd on the substitutes’ bench.

With Invicta’s numbers depleted, away manager Drury, 40, named himself on the substitutes’ bench.

They made two switches to their team, which saw Young and Ellis Brown come in for the suspended duo of Dean Rance and Amadou Kassarate.

Ramsgate are at home to Hythe in the league on Tuesday, as Invicta’s next game will see them welcome Billericay in Isthmian Premier next weekend.

Ramsgate: Hadler, Barnes (Judd 54mins), Leader, Deacon, Elito (Carlsle 80mins), Gard (Bioletti 90mins), Paxman, Jadama, Clifford, Taylor, Ajayi (Walters 69mins). Subs not used: Newcombe, Ellul.

Folkestone Invicta: Henly, Hoyte (Sessegnon 86mins), Mascoll, Gayle, Ojemen, Ebuzoeme, Brown (Morgan 58mins), Young (Chambers 83mins), Derry, Smith, Kouassi. Subs not used: Kennedy, Ekpiteta, Drury.

Referee: Josh Langley-Fineing.

Attendance: 1,016.