By Andrew Gidley

Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott believes his side have made it tough for themselves to make the Ryman League, Division 1 South play-offs after the surprise 3-2 midweek home defeat by strugglers Whitstable at Bourne Park.

Abbott, pictured, saw his team go 3-0 down in 13 minutes on Tuesday before pulling two goals back.

“We might have given ourselves too much to do now, and shot ourselves in the foot," Abbott admitted.

"I think we need to win six of our last seven games, and will give it our best shot.”

Elie Kayembe (hamstring), Karl Dent (shin-splints) and Matt Bourne (hamstring) are all carrying knocks ahead of the trip to Ashford on Saturday but striker Tom Bradbrook returns after illness.