RAMSGATE suffered a nightmare start to the new campaign.

Their young side may have done well against Prem opponents during pre-season but the first league game, away to an experienced side, proved a very different matter.

It's all about the play-offs this year for Rams so they'll need to get over this result quickly.

Conor Quinn made a decent save from a free-kick on 15 minutes but the hosts took the lead when a cross from the right triggered a goalmouth scramble.

Rams couldn't clear their lines and Adrian Butler bundled the ball over the line at the far post.

Warren Schulz headed straight at home keeper David Wilkinson from a Mitchell Sherwood cross as Rams looked for a quick response while James Gregory's free-kick was tipped over.

Walton made a confident start to the second half and only an amazing close-range block from Quinn denied Ray Powell in a one-on-one with the Rams No 1.

Powell, perhaps through frustration, clattered Quinn from behind moments later and was booked.

But he should have kept his toys in the pram because he didn't have long to wait for another chance, doubling Swans' lead on 59.

Schulz's midfield pass was intercepted and a cross floated in for ex-Tonbridge striker Powell to slot past Quinn.

Hard-working Rams striker Mark Lovell was joined up front by Tom Tsangarides while Ashley Groombridge replaced defender Luke Wheatley as Ward looked for a way back.

But it was game over on 78 when sub Nick Barnes beat Liam Quinn to a high cross and planted home a header.

Ramsgate: Quinn, Gray, Wheatley (Groombridge 68), Beech, Quinn, Laslett,Sherwood, Schulz, Lovell (Winnett 80), Lockyer (Tsangarides 62), Gregory. Subs not used: Harker, Axon.