Steve Lovell believes maximum points in the last three games will get Ramsgate in the Isthmian South East play-offs.

Rams slipped out of the top five for the first time since January when they lost 1-0 at home to Haywards Heath in Lovell’s first game in charge on Saturday.

They’re sixth, two points behind Herne Bay, going into the busy Easter weekend, but all is not lost.

Rams are at Lovell’s former club, second-placed Ashford, on Saturday and host Whitstable on Easter Monday before finishing the regular season at Chichester on Saturday week.

“Herne Bay are in there at the moment but it’s not over yet,” said Lovell. “We feel three victories will get us in the play-offs and that’s what we’ve got to aim for.

“We can only do what we can and try and give the players a bit of confidence.

“There’s the nucleus of a good team but obviously things have gone a bit astray over the last month for one reason or another and that needs to be addressed.

“We’re not miracle-workers but hopefully we get through these last three games and get the wins we need.

“We know Ashford won’t be easy. I’ve known Tommy Warrilow for many years and he’s done a great job there.

“But it’s a good game to play in, players love games like this, when everything matters on it, and we’re looking forward to it.

“Whatever happens, happens but as long as the boys give everything and work hard, that’s all you can do.”

Ramsgate placed Lovell in charge, initially until the end of the season, following Matt Longhurst’s departure last week.

He couldn’t halt their losing run, which stands at five matches after Sinn Christie’s first-half goal for Haywards Heath, but took heart from the performance.

“We went 1-0 down but the heads didn’t drop, we kept going and were the much stronger side in the second half,” said Lovell.

“Haywards Heath didn’t cause us any problems in the second half, we just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

“It would have been lovely to have scored at least one to get something out of the game.”

It’s been a strange season personally for Lovell, who started the campaign at Welling and had a caretaker spell back at Gillingham before taking over at Ramsgate.

He’s been impressed by the set-up at Rams, with Southwood transformed since his son, Mark, played there under Jim Ward more than a decade go.

There’s big potential and Lovell would be open to extending his stay should the chance arise.

“I wanted to get back into football and James (Lawson, chairman) kindly gave me the opportunity to do that with Ramsgate,” said Lovell.

“I liked what he was saying and his ambition and what he’s already done at the club.

“We’re just doing it to the end of the season at the moment, with a view to talking about the long-term, if they want to.

“It’s unusual to go into a club who are in a decent position in the league, it’s normally the other way round, when you go into a club who are fighting relegation or slipping down the table towards relegation and you have to move them to safety. That’s what I’ve had before with Gillingham, twice, Sittingbourne and Hastings.

“It’s just nice to be back involved in Kent football.

“I spent most of my non-league playing career at Kent clubs, and managing, and it’s nice to get back in among good people.

“There’s a great bunch of people at Ramsgate and the chairman’s done a lot of work there.

“My wife came down on Saturday and she couldn’t believe the change since Mark used to play there.

“James and his staff have worked so hard to make it a community-based place where people want to go.

“I know from when I worked as community officer at Gillingham how important it is to get the community involved and if they enjoy it they’ll keep coming back.

“You’ve got to make sure those who come are entertained. Everyone wants to see a successful club and going forward that will be the aim, if I’m still there next year.”