Ryan Maxwell would love to see Sittingbourne fans break the 400 barrier on Good Friday.

Third-placed Brickies host Horndean in a 1pm kick-off at Woodstock as they close in on securing an Isthmian South East play-off spot.

The club’s best season in years has captured the imagination of locals, with crowds on the rise.

Their last home game, against Broadbridge Heath, attracted an attendance of 370, a turnout bettered only by Kent derbies against Sheppey (651) and Ramsgate (509).

Sittingbourne have come a long way, both in terms of crowds and results since Maxwell took charge in January last year.

Four-hundred is the magic figure they are targeting against Horndean, which is followed by a trip to title-chasing Ramsgate on Monday (3pm).

“We were looking at this last week,” said Maxwell, whose side won 3-2 at Beckenham on Saturday.

“My first game, when I came to watch, there were 125 against Whitehawk, who went on to get promoted.

“They were very loud, they were brilliant, but we had 370 at the last home game, so it’s nearly trebled and we’re all proud of that. I’m hoping to break the 400 mark on Friday.

“That would be outstanding - I’d be over the moon for the club, the chairman and everyone involved.

“The fans have been hugely important and will continue to be so.

“I think everyone wants to attach themselves to something that wins - that’s natural - but I’d also like to think we’re engaging with fans as a management team and players.

“I’ve always got time for them after every single game and I know they appreciate that.

“That’s our style, we’re always happy to engage and I hope that spreads through the fans because it’s important to be approachable.

“Without them, there’s no non-league clubs. They’re the most important people.

“Some people can get sidetracked and forget that but we definitely don’t here.”

Mitchell May put Sittingbourne in front at bottom side Beckenham but they had to come from 2-1 down to win.

Donvieve Jones levelled and Danny Parish scored the winner for a Brickies team who lost defender Chris Arthur and midfielder Alex Bentley to muscular injuries before half-time.

“I have to give credit to Beckenham,” said Maxwell.

“Considering they played on Thursday (2-1 win at Hythe) I thought they were very good. They were gutsy.

“We should have been out of sight before they equalised but we concede against the run of play and then go 2-1 down, by which point we’ve lost two players.

“We had to shuffle the pack and change the shape but we got the equaliser and the winner, which we deserved.”

New signing Chris Regis replaced Bentley, while Italian defender Sergio Uyi, who recently rejoined from Phoenix, did a sterling job after Arthur went off.

“It’s a funny one with Chris,” said Maxwell.

“I did a bit of digging because, although I know him reasonably well, others know him a lot better than me.

“Being 27/28 and having played in so many positions, I’m sure he’d like to nail one down.

“I had that conversation with him, I said let’s see which position you’re going to home in on and make your own, and then I brought him on and had to move him three times because of tactical changes we made.

“We joked about that but he did well in each position and it’s important to be versatile within a game without having to make a sub.

“I know he can play a few positions, so it’s a benefit, but I also want to get the very best out of him in his best position.

“He did well, as did Sergio in defence.

“I re-signed him from Phoenix and luckily we did because he was key when he came on.

“I was impressed with his character.

“He used his experience and at 6ft5in he’s a presence - and we needed that.”

Sittingbourne players may need to be flexible during the run-in as injuries take their toll on the squad.

They’re aware of the situation so there’s no excuses.

Maxwell said: “We’re a bit light on the ground but with every obstacle, it’s someone else’s opportunity.

“May it be a full game or 10 minutes, you’ve got to know your role and know your team-mates’ role and when you’re asked to fill in, you fill in.

“If a few players have to play out of position, so be it.

“That’s just the nature of where we’re at.

“We’ve been talking about it for a number of weeks so whoever’s asked to play in a Sittingbourne shirt should know what’s expected of them.”