New Sittingbourne defender Sergio Uyi learned from the masters.

Uyi was born in Nigeria but grew up in Italy, including a spell in the academy of Serie A club Torino.

The Italians have got defending down to a fine art and it was fitting Uyi helped Bourne to a clean sheet on his debut in a goalless draw at Ashford on Saturday.

He was sent off in the Brickies' last-minute 1-0 defeat at Hythe on Tuesday night but will be an asset as they work to climb away from danger in Isthmian South East.

Boss Ryan Maxwell had the centre-back on trial at Braintree and brought him to Sittingbourne after deciding to switch to a back three at Homelands.

“He came to Braintree for a little while but we were going through a period of clean sheets and wins and it was difficult to justify signing another centre-half,” said Maxwell, speaking before the Hythe game.

“He went elsewhere but he really caught my eye.

“I found out he was back in the country and I was looking at what I needed here and decided to give him a call to see what he was up to.

“I like his personality, he’s 6ft5in, he’s a tough, old-school defender who comes from that Italian background but he can also play as well and he’s a good athlete.

“He’s an unknown quantity to teams at this level and I still think he can progress at 29.

“I’m sure clubs will enquire about him and that’s not a problem for me. He’s not here to mess around.

“He had Joe Ellul alongside him in the three, who helped him through the game, which you’d expect verbally and with him being captain.”

Sittingbourne, who have also signed American-born midfielder Vincent Follea from Coggeshall, played well at promotion hopefuls Ashford.

There was little time to work on the new system but they soon adapted in a decent display.

Aaron Eyoma had a big chance to break the deadlock, missing a header from point-blank range.

“It was a very even first half but the second half is as good as we’ve had,” said Maxwell.

“We only worked on a back three on Thursday.

“It was probably as good as it could possibly have been in terms of shape.

“You wouldn’t have known we’d only just changed it and we were able to get two up front for the first time.

“We missed a chance from a yard out - he’s headed it up in the air with pressure on his back from a defender but not enough pressure to get a penalty.

“It looked 100% he would score but I call it good defending.”

Ex-Brickies skipper Ben Gorham was sent off for Ashford in the closing stages after picking up a second yellow card but it came too late to affect the outcome.

“We went there to win the game but Ashford away is no easy task,” said Maxwell.

“They’re well-drilled, with a clear game plan and they’re a physical side, as we are.

“I enjoyed the game as a manager and I know Tommy Warrilow (Ashford boss) did too.

“It was a proper game, nice and physical, and I was pleased with how we played.”

Third-bottom Sittingbourne are at home to Haywards Heath on Saturday (3pm) and host East Grinstead on Tuesday (7.45pm).