Match-winner Joe Taylor will never forget Ramsgate’s success in reaching the FA Cup First Round - dedicating their victory to the fans.

Local lad Taylor enjoyed the moment after scoring the only goal at AFC Totton in front of more than 320 travelling supporters.

Taylor put a first-half penalty miss behind him to fire Rams through to the First Round for the first time in 18 years.

Ben Smith’s side have been drawn at home to Hemel Hempstead or Woking who meet in a replay tomorrow night.

“We’re going to remember today forever,” said Taylor.

“The manager said to us before the game this is one of the biggest games in the club’s history.

“But he still asked us to be calm and that’s what we’ve worked on in the big games in previous rounds when we’ve had Chatham away and Cray away.

“Today was about keeping a level head because at times myself and the other boys can get a bit emotional when we play.

“We’re trying to keep a level head and I think we handled the occasion really well.

“I’m just really proud of the boys because, yes, I got the goal but the team performance, the defending at the end, was brilliant.

“I’m really happy for the boys to get a clean sheet coming away to a good side in the league above.

“I’m so happy to share the moment when I scored with the fans.

“I know a lot of those fans behind the goal, where I’m local, I see most of them at the shops.

“That win today should be for the fans.

“They travel home and away and we’ve got a really good group of volunteers who never miss a game.

“Special days like today, when they book out four coaches, what can you say?

“We were at the services with them on the way here and we could hear them singing.

“I want to say a massive shout-out and thank you to the people of Thanet because without them we wouldn’t have done that today. It felt like a home game out there.”

Taylor, who first played for Ramsgate as a teenager under Jim Ward, rejoined the club from Lewes in the summer.

The forward has 14 goals to his name already this season, including nine in the FA Cup.

He missed from the spot in the first half but showed his quality with a classy 65th-minute lob as Ramsgate beat higher-league opposition for the third time in five qualifying rounds.

“I never miss penalties,” said Taylor.

“I was so confident standing over it. I’ve missed one in the last 50-something.

“It was uncharacteristic but I didn’t let it affect me.

“I said to the boys at half-time, keep giving me the ball, I’ve done a really bad penalty there, give me the ball and I’ll put one away.

Rams boss Smith on FA Cup victory

“They all patted me on the back and told me to keep going.

“I didn’t have to think too much about the finish for the goal.

“The keeper was out of his goal, I put it over him and celebrated with the fans. It was lovely.

“We’ve been building for this moment as a club.

“I’ve watched it from the outside and I’m really happy I chose to come back here this season. It’s a special, special club.”

Taylor shared a lovely moment with former Ramsgate boss Ward after the game.

Ward was in charge when the club last reached the First Round back in 2005 and gave Taylor his debut several years later, also taking him to Sittingbourne.

“I speak to Jim all the time,” said Taylor. “He’s given me lots of good advice.

“He really paved my way to get into men’s football so I’m really thankful for Jim and his brother, Danny (former Rams No.2).

“I haven’t played for them for a long time but I consider them both friends.

“They were here the last time we managed to do something like this as a club in the FA Cup and they’ve done so much for this club.”