On the last day of February, Sittingbourne finally suffered defeat under Reece Prestedge.

One hundred and fifteen days after taking the Woodstock hotseat – and a run of eleven wins and four draws – the Brickies finally succumbed to their first defeat under the “new” manager against an AFC Croydon Athletic side who were just that bit quicker at key times and with the win cemented their place second in the division behind leaders Three Bridges.

The Brickies had an early warning as James Taylor curled a superb effort off Jamie Grosshart’s bar as the home side enjoyed the early stages and took the lead when Ben Wynter was allowed too much room from a free kick to head past Grosshart.

Taylor hit the frame of goal for a second time – he cut in from wide and crashed a shot off the outside of the right post – before the Brickies showed some signs of life. Henry Sinai fired wide before the visitors equalised with a really well worked goal. Derek Asamoah did well to win the ball down the right, and his weighted ball across the box was met in stride by Jean-Baptiste Fischer who rammed home his eighth goal of the season and second in successive away games.

Indeed, Sittingbourne were unlucky not to be in front at the break. Keeper Amadou Tangara made a horrible mess of a corner and despite the efforts of Ben Swift, Asamoah and Sinai, the Brickies couldn’t force the ball over the line.

The start of the second period proved key and just three minutes in, the home side were back in front. Josh Williams was allowed too much time in front of the Sittingbourne defence and picked his spot. Whilst Grosshart had that spot covered, the shot hit a defender sending it to the opposite corner that the Brickies keeper and the home side led 2-1.

Grosshart produced one of the reaction saves of the season to keep out another deflected effort at the base of his post as a shot from Brandon Perrick clipped the heel of a defender and seemed to be creeping into the corner before Grosshart’s outstanding intervention.

Perrick though was to get his reward moments later after a great powering run through the defence before he arrowed a shot into the bottom corner to effectively seal the game at three quarter time.

Sittingbourne had the possession but didn’t really force Tangara into a noteworthy save and indeed but for another smart save to deny sub-Stanley Oldfield, the victory margin would have been more.

The Brickies then start again next time out which just happens to be the Swale derby at Woodstock on Tuesday, but a thought for the Brickies faithful – if Prestedge can inspire another fifteen-game unbeaten run, it would mean that the ultimate goal is in reach.

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC – Tangara, Boateng, Watson (Afrane-Kesey), Jebb, Bremang (Oldfield), Taylor (Black), Dreher (Mccarthy), Williams, Dunne, Wynter, Pierrick (Daniel)

SITTINGBOURNE – Grosshart, Hoyte, Graham, Woodward (Hamill), Steventon, Swift, Sinai, Theobalds, Asamoah, Fischer (Smith), Foxley (Crowhurst)

Subs – Anthony, Nguidjol

REFEREE – Mr. Harris