Sheppey United 2 Ramsgate 3: In the FA Trophy first qualifying round, Joe Taylor gives the Rams the lead in the 96th minute.

Jacob Lambert quickly restored Sheppey’s lead but Lewis Gard levelled two minutes from time and goal machine Taylor coolly sent his side through to the second qualifying round at the death.

In a clash of two sides boasting 100% records in Isthmian South East, Ramsgate made all the early running.

With Lee Martin named in the starting XI after rejoining from Ashford, the visitors dominated possession.

They popped the ball about for fun and it appeared Sheppey were happy to cede possession as they sat off in the first 15 minutes and allowed Ramsgate to dictate.

Vance Bola brushed the side-netting for Ben Smith’s side after a Martin free-kick was headed out to the edge of the area before Sh

Further chances followed in quick succession with skipper Danny Leonard’s shot blocked after cutting inside on his left foot and Jordy Ndozid’s 25-yard drive saved low at his post by Tom Hadler.

With the hosts’ tails up, they took the lead in the 26th minute.

Carr was alert to pounce on a back-header in the Ramsgate midfield and continued his run before beating

Leonard’s deflected strike flashed past the far post after good work by Carr, while another Lambert strike was blocked by Jay Leader as Sheppey went for a second.

Ramsgate came back into the game and finished the half strongly with several opportunities.

That included a double chance that saw Bola’s strike brilliantly blocked on the line, with keeper Aiden Prall doing equally well to keep out Ajayi’s follow-up.

Prall also denied Ajayi, when played in by the lively Benny Bioletti, and made a fine low save from Bola, while Joe Ellul’s goalbound header was blocked by James Taylor.

Hadler made a double save from Carvalho’s curling effort and Carr’s follow-up at the start of the second half.

Prall made further saves from Deacon and a Martin free-kick before Bola narrowly missed the target after Ramsgate opened up the Sheppey defence.

Ramsgate, having just introduced Taylor and Gard, saw their pressure pay off with a 66th-minute equaliser.

Martin walked away from a 30-yard free-kick, leaving it to Ajayi, and he beat Prall with a superb strike.

Back came Sheppey, though, regaining the lead just three minutes later with Lambert brilliantly bending the ball beyond Hadler into the far corner following a corner from the right.

Ajayi missed a golden chance to level at the back post moments later after Ramsgate got away down the flank.

But after Prall saved Ajayi’s latest free-kick, Ramsgate kept play alive and Gard pounced for an 88th-minut