Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell branded “car-crash” referee Kane Dempster as the worst he’s seen after their derby draw at Sheppey United on Boxing Day.

The fourth-placed Brickies thought they had won a thrilling Isthmian South East match in the dying seconds as striker Chris Harris headed home a free-kick. But Mr Dempster controversially ruled out an all-important fourth goal for the away side at Holm Park.

Sittingbourne had raced into a two-goal half-time lead through Harris’ effort and a first club goal for defender Michael Turner before forward Mitchell May converted a penalty just before the hour mark.

But Sheppey roared back through Briggs Ojemen’s goal and a stunning lob by captain Richie Hamill while striker Dan Bradshaw netted in stoppage time - and then there was even later drama in a breathless affair.

Maxwell said: “I’ll be honest with you, the referee is an absolute car-crash, isn’t he? I’m never going to mince my words.

“That’s the worst referee’s performance since I had him last time! It’s the worst referee I’ve come across in my entire life.

“To be honest, I’m not going to comment on it again because I think I’ll get too emotional.”

Report: Sheppey 3-3 Sittingbourne

Away players surrounded Mr Dempster at the full-time whistle as a red card was brandished to defender Joe Tyrie.

Asked why the last-gasp Harris effort had been disallowed, Maxwell replied: “I don’t know what got into him. A comment was made and he immediately gave a red card.

“The Sheppey players, who are a good bunch of lads by the way - even though they rescued a point - were bemused by the referee. I think that says it all.”

Ironically, Maxwell also felt decisions made by the referee - then Fabio Roque - had cost them a win over Sheppey at Woodstock in August, too, as he awarded an injury-time penalty in a 2-2 draw.

The 497 fans in attendance, which included a healthy away contingent, certainly got plenty of entertainment as the spoils were shared.

“If you were a neutral, you would have got more than your money’s worth,” admitted Maxwell. “It was a very entertaining game - six goals on Boxing Day.

“I’m happy for those people that wanted to come and watch an entertaining match, rather than a team trying to nick a 1-0. That’s not our style.

“We played two up front away from home and, at one point, that was looking the right way to go when we were comfortably ahead.

“Obviously, the final scoreline is disappointing but I can’t blame my players for that. I really can’t.”

The games against promotion rivals now keep on coming for the Brickies.

They visit a Cray Valley team who are a point better off than them, having played three league fixtures less, this Saturday before a New Year’s Day home match against leaders Ramsgate. Sittingbourne’s Tyrie will be available for those matches despite his sending off.