Ryan Maxwell made an exception to the rules as Sittingbourne striker Danny Parish turned on the style against his old club.

Parish faced the prospect of sitting out the Brickies’ match at Ashford on Saturday after missing Thursday night’s training session.

A work commitment meant he couldn’t attend and no training normally means no game under Maxwell’s rules.

But the Brickies boss relaxed his policy on this occasion and the decision was vindicated as Parish scored twice in a 5-1 win against the club who released him in January.

“I made an exception because I thought he’d earned it and I was pleased to offer him that,” said Maxwell.

“He’d come off the back of a good performance and he sent me evidence of a run he’d gone out and done.

“I openly said it in front of the boys, I said you know you wouldn’t usually be playing but it is his old club and I’m going to make an exception because he’s trained away from here.

“I thought it was best to explain it to the players because I am very regimental in terms of this is what it is, this is what will happen, this is what we do, so I explained why he was starting because it’s happened to other players and they haven’t started.

“I made an exception to the rule because of his attitude, his previous performance, the fact it was a work commitment that meant he missed training and the fact it was his old club.”

Parish, who was informed of Maxwell’s decision on Friday, grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

He was clearly up for the game and it showed with his goals and overall display.

“I was delighted for Danny,” said Maxwell.

“He put a real shift in. He was everywhere.

“He was strong, competitive and brave.

“He was winning headers and he showed real tenacity.

“It was just an all-round super performance from Danny and he took his goals well.

“Every part of his game was excellent and he certainly enjoyed himself, as did his family, I can promise you that.

“It was a good day for Parishes.”

Fellow striker Mitchell May scored twice, including a penalty, with Donvieve Jones and Parish’s first opening up a 4-1 lead at the break.

Parish completed a big away win early in the second half, with victory keeping Sittingbourne nine points behind Isthmian South East leaders Ramsgate in third place.

“We played all right,” said Maxwell.

“We were very clinical and I’ve been waiting on us playing all right and getting some rewards.

“Don’t get me wrong, we were still good value for the win but we’ve played a lot better and not had those scorelines so I was pleased to get that rub of the green.”

Maxwell will soon face a dilemma up front with 12-goal striker Chris Harris back in training.

He formed a deadly partnership with May before an injury lay-off opened the door for Parish.

“You need everyone on fire at this time of the season - it’s the business end,” said Maxwell.

“Everyone’s got to be pulling up trees and competition for places is healthy and it’s needed.

“Chris is back training and to have him back for this crucial period, these last 10 games, is brilliant, but it’s also brilliant that Mitchell and Danny have made us kind of not miss Chris in some ways.

“We’re no fools, we know we’ll need Chris and the boys know we need him because he’s a huge part of what we do and he’s a super player.”

There’s always the option of playing all three strikers but it’s a balancing act for Maxwell, whose side host Broadbridge Heath on Saturday (3pm) and visit Littlehampton on Tuesday (7.45pm).

“You have to concede something elsewhere to do that,” said Maxwell.

“Yes, we could do it, I’m not saying it won’t happen but to have those three on the pitch at the same time would be extremely attacking.

“There’s a time and a place for everything so we’ll have to see on that one.”

While Sittingbourne are still fighting for the title, they also have a healthy 12-point cushion in the race for a play-off place.

So, barring a spectacular collapse, they should clinch a top-five spot.

“The chairman (vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram) said give me a competitive season and threaten the play-offs,” said Maxwell.

“I don’t take any job or shake someone’s hand lightly.

“If I say I’m going to do something, I do it, so when I shook his hand I said we will threaten those places.

“That’s why I’m doing it. I wouldn’t be travelling from where I live, over near Stansted Airport, to come down to Kent to make up the numbers.

“He’s a happy man, as are all the club and supporters, but I don’t want to be the bridesmaid, I want to make sure we’re here for the long haul, right to the very end and put pressure on the top two.

“Ultimately, to get that promotion would be the goal. It was certainly the goal when I came here.”