A superb Matt Smart volley gave Leatherhead a winning 1-0 start to the new season at Ramsgate on Saturday.

A new-look Tanners line-up took time to settle before Allan Tait created the first chance for the visitors after 19 minutes.

Deren Ibrahim sent a long clearance to the edge of the Rams penalty area, where Tait’s first time effort was well saved by Daren Hawkes.

Leatherhead had the ball in the hosts’ net after 27 minutes, but the referee failed to play advantage when Tom Bradbrook was fouled just outside the box before firing past Hawkes.

The linesman flagged for the infringement and the referee blew his whistle just as the Leatherhead forward unleashed his goal bound shot.

Bradbrook’s protests earned him a yellow card.

Kev Terry’s resultant free kick was blocked by the Rams defence but the ball ran out only as far as Smart who drilled it into the top corner from 30 yards.

Tanners had chances to add to their lead early in the second half.

Paul Semakula had a shot turned off the line and Luke Mathias saw his long range effort nudged behind for a corner before the hosts stepped up a gear in their search for an equaliser.

Ibrahim deflected a Rams free kick onto the bar and the new Tanners shot stopper did well to get down to a well struck effort from Andy Miller on the hour mark.

Ramsgate missed two good chances to draw level in the closing stages.

Tom Chapman fired over from close range before Ibrahim made the best save of the match to keep out a blistering free kick from Dave Pilcher and secure the points for the visitors.