Ryan Maxwell has laid down the law after Sittingbourne stumbled through in the FA Trophy.

The Brickies needed a last-minute goal from substitute Chris Harris to beat Ashford Town (Middx) 2-1 in the First Qualifying Round at Woodstock on Saturday.

They took an early lead through Manny Osei-Owusu but sat off and allowed the visitors back into the game.

Boss Maxwell accepts the heat played a part but Sittingbourne could have made life far easier for themselves.

He has high standards and expects those to be met when his side return to Isthmian South East action at Merstham this Saturday (3pm).

“I was disappointed in what I was given,” said Maxwell.

“The boys have been made aware that they under-performed.

“We had an opportunity to take control of the game and go for the jugular and we didn’t do that.

“No disrespect to Ashford but we should have been comfortable - and we weren’t.

“We took our foot off the pedal and expected Ashford to lay down and accept defeat, which they didn’t do.

“We’ve scored a late winner but it shouldn’t have come to that.

“I think the heat made a difference because it felt like we’ve got the first goal, it’s hot, let’s maybe keep the ball a little more rather than attacking them.

“But at 1-0 the game’s still there for Ashford to win and they got a deserved equaliser.

“If we’d attacked them, we could have got a couple more goals to the good.

“We’ve shown resilience to score another late winner, which is important, but it’s papering over the cracks.

“The players knew what I brought up was correct because they all agreed with me afterwards.

“We can’t have players thinking, ‘Oh, that’s OK, someone else will do that’.

“I want everybody fighting for that man-of-the-match award for 99 minutes or however long the game lasts.

“I quickly reminded them there are four players on dual-registration and one of them, Correy Davidson, scored from the halfway line for Stansted on Saturday.

“You cannot be complacent at this club.

“You’ve got to be pulling up trees every week to even stay in the squad, never mind the team, and to short-change me and the chairman and the fans was a little disappointing.

“OK, it was a hot day, but I certainly don’t want to see it happen again, that’s for sure.”

Sittingbourne have taken four points from their opening three league games.

They’re up against a Merstham side who have just a point to their name.

Maxwell respects their opponents but wants to see the Brickies at their best.

“I’ve said many times when this team clicks, and we’re at it, it’s difficult to stop.

“But we have to make sure we’re doing it every week.

“We need that consistency.

“I’m looking for another win but a more convincing performance.

“There’s a couple of things we need to tidy up on and we’ll be ready for the game.”