Manager Ryan Maxwell dedicated Sittingbourne’s massive Swale derby victory at Faversham on Saturday to injured goalkeeper Harley Earle.

Maidstone loanee Earle was rushed to hospital after suffering an injury when he gave away a stoppage-time penalty for a foul on Town substitute Matt Parsons.

Defender Harrison Pont took the gloves to deny ex-Football League frontman Adebayo Akinfenwa from 12 yards and saw out the final stages of their 1-0 Isthmian South East success.

Speaking of teenager Earle’s injury after the game, Maxwell said: “It’s very early days.

“I know he has a really, really sore face so I think there’s a fracture. I’m gutted for him because he’s been outstanding.

“For such a young man, he’s been fantastic.

“I want to dedicate the win to him. I think all the boys do because we’re still thinking about him right now.

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“His dad has taken him to hospital.”

It has since been confirmed Earle will be out for the rest of the season after he broke his nose, a cheekbone and an eye socket. A fundraising campaign has been started by the club.

Skipper Joe Ellul appeared keen to take the gloves but Maxwell decided to put Pont between the sticks - and that proved the right decision.

Maxwell explained: “Joe wanted to do it but then I didn’t want to take Joe out [of defence].

“So I just said ‘Pontie, I’m going to put you in goal… Do me a favour and dive left. I think he’ll side foot it and I’ll take the blame if he doesn’t.’ Thankfully, with this call, it’s one I got right.

“But he still has to save it so it’s all down to Pontie. I’m delighted he had the character to do it.

“He’d been in the team up until recently and he’s found himself out the team with the boys doing well. But I’ve told him that everybody has got to contribute in this game and he’s made a massive contribution.

“Basically, it’s won us the game.”

Defender Joe Tyrie’s first-half effort proved the only goal as the Brickies extended their unbeaten run to eight matches and moved up to 12th.

Maxwell reflected: “I think anyone who paid their entrant’s money certainly got their money’s worth!

“It was a game that had absolutely everything. It wasn’t so enjoyable from my point of view up until the very end when we got the three points.

“But at the end of the day, we came here for three points, we got three points and a clean sheet. It was an eventful game but we came here to do that - and we’ve done the job.

“Of course, I’m delighted to win the derby away from home.”

Maxwell also praised representatives from Town for the way in which they had conducted themselves, as the visitors won the Bob Amor Cup.

He said: “I want to give credit to them as a football club.

“I believe it was their vice-chairman who came into the bar, thanked us and was full of praise.

“He left us a drink behind the bar, as well, so they were very classy in defeat as a club.

"I just want to put that on record.”

Sittingbourne host fourth-bottom VCD next Saturday.

To donate to support Earle after his injury, go to tinyurl.com/KMHarleyEarle