Hat-trick hero Joe Taylor led the way for Ramsgate, ensuring Deal were beaten in front of a club-record crowd on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Hoops struck first through Ben Chapman and they won a penalty, which Jack Paxman missed against his old club, before Taylor converted the first of two spot-kicks in first-half injury time.

Provider turned scorer for the Rams as TJ Jadama netted, only for Tom Chapman - Ben’s brother - to level the scores in the second half.

But Rams captain Taylor had the last laugh in a derby which lived up to its billing. He put his team back in front before he scored another spot-kick late on to ensure they made it three wins from three Isthmian South East games this season.

Ben Smith’s side made a good start at the Charles Sports Ground in front of the crowd of 1,985. Winger Alfie Paxman - facing twin brother Jack Paxman - curled wide a free-kick in the fifth minute before Benedict Bioletti missed the target.

Away keeper Tom Hadler then tipped over a cross-cum-shot from Hoops winger Tom Chapman on nine minutes.

A tasty battle already seemed to be ensuing, particularly on the home side’s left flank where Ashley Miller and Rory Smith were up against Ramsgate right-back Aaron Barnes while Alex Green and Bioletti - two promising youngsters - were in the thick of the action.

Midway through the first period, the Hoops drew first blood as the match burst to life.

As Deal captain Macaulay Murray swung in a free-kick, Ramsgate defender Joe Ellul appeared to try to shepherd the ball behind for a goal kick, only for Ben Chapman to sneak in at the back post to shoot past Hadler.

It nearly got better seconds later for the Hoops, too. They were presented with a stonewall penalty by referee Ben McDonald after a foul by Jay Leader but Jack Paxman was the surprise spot-kick-taker, dragging wide.

Ramsgate’s Tom Carlse made a vital 28th-minute goal-line clearance after Rory Smith had flicked a set-piece goalwards.

There was a lengthy break in play on 36 minutes after visiting defender Barnes had been deemed to have been fairly challenged in the opposition area.

A minute later, Ramsgate appeals keeper Adam Molloy had carried Ellul’s long-range strike over the line were waved away.

Hadler was alert to thwart Smith, who had tried his luck from a similar distance.

Two minutes before half-time, the twins came face-to-face when Jack put in a superb block to deny Alfie Paxman before Rams striker Taylor finally got a first sniff at goal of the afternoon - but poked over.

The visitors were awarded a penalty of their own in first-half injury time, though, when Green was adjudged to have caught Jadama. Taylor kept his cool and undid Deal’s hard work.

Ramsgate made a half-time substitution, Josh Ajayi on for Bioletti.

And the Hoops were also promptly forced into a change themselves as Smith hobbled off and was replaced by Wes Hennessey - a player who had been on dual registration between the teams last term.

The away outfit went ahead in the 50th minute. Jadama capitalised on some indecisive defending and fired past Molloy.

Five minutes later, however, the hosts were back level after a clinical counter-attack.

Three former Ramsgate players combined. Hennessey did the bulk of the work before he found Miller and he crossed to the back post where Tom Chapman lie in wait.

Back came the Rams, only for Barnes to miss the target shortly before the hour mark after he had got in behind Green.

Next to go close for Smith’s side in the 64th minute was midfielder Lewis Gard. He shot straight at Molloy.

Soon after, Deal boss Steve King made a brave switch which saw forward Aaron Millbank come on for defender Alfie Foster.

But with 21 minutes to go, Taylor put Ramsgate back in front through a trademark finish. He spun his man in the box and shot past Molloy.

Molloy then saved Tom Clifford’s effort to keep the Hoops in the contest.

Seven minutes from time, away substitute TT Walters flashed wide of the upright.

But the last minute of normal time saw Jadama win another penalty, this time for a foul by substitute Alex Smith.

And Taylor completed his hat-trick with what already was his eighth goal of the campaign at the start of eight minutes of stoppage time.

There was a huge crowd for the game as kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes to allow everyone to flock into the ground.

Deal manager King made two switches from the side which were 3-1 winners at Broadbridge Heath, which saw Miller and Ben Chapman replace Millbank and Jamie Kennedy.

Clifford came in for Roarie Deacon for the Rams in their only change from their weekend 4-2 win at Sittingbourne.

The match also saw a host of ex-Ramsgate players turn out for the home team.

Deal are at East Grinstead in the league this Saturday, as they look to bounce back from this season’s first league loss, while the Rams will play host to Isthmian Premier Folkestone in the FA Cup first qualifying round as they have a brief league break.

Deal Town: Molloy, Paxman, Green, Murray (Kennedy 73mins), Niblett, Foster (Millbank 65mins), R.Smith (Hennessey 49mins), Munday, Miller (A.Smith 80mins), B.Chapman, T.Chapman. Sub not used: Hammond.

Ramsgate: Hadler, Barnes (Deacon 65mins), Carlse (Walters 80mins), Clifford (Elito 86mins), Ellul, Leader, Paxman, Gard, Taylor (Bola 93mins), Jadama, Bioletti (Ajayi 46mins).

Referee: Ben McDonald.

Attendance: 1,985.