Cannons held by nine-man Rams

Hythe were held at home by the nine men of Ramsgate on Saturday.

The Cannons came from behind to lead 2-1 against a Rams side who had Rob Saunders and Kane Rowland sent off, but they’re now 11 points adrift of the Bostik South East play-offs after the visitors scored a late equaliser. Hythe boss Sam Denly said: “It was really frustrating, a game we should have won.

“It’s two points dropped and another afternoon which sums up our season but Ramsgate deserved something. They battled really hard and sometimes when teams go down to 10 men it has the adverse effect.

“In the first half they were the better team and there were a few harsh words when we got in at half-time.

“We were much better in the second half, created chances and should have won the game, but weren’t clinical enough and conceded a soft goal.”

Ramsgate took a ninth-minute lead when Tom Chapman fed Rowland and he slid the ball past Tony Coxall.

However, it was all square nine minutes later when Saunders turned a Kieron Campbell cross into his own net – and things were about to get worse for the Ramsgate man.

Saunders fouled Sid Sollis and was shown a second yellow card, leaving the visitors with 10 men for the remaining 70 minutes.

Tom Carlton shot against the inside of the post at the start of the second half, and scored his first Hythe goal 17 minutes from time, picking up possession and slamming the ball home.

However two minutes later Jake Mackenzie’s free-kick was headed home by Charlie Dickens, and although

Rowland was controversially dismissed for a tackle on Chris Kinnear the visitors held on. Hythe: Coxall, Kisitu, Taylor (Capel 63mins), Kinnear, Rowe, Dickenson, Palmer (Smith 63mins), Carlton, Ansah, Sollis, Campbell. Subs not used: Phillip, Carney. Attendance: 216.