Sittingbourne players are out to prove their manager wrong after an extraordinary start to the season.

Brickies boss Nick Davis believes it would be an achievement just to stay in Ryman League Division 1 South this season.

But his team are aiming higher and showed they can mix with the fancied sides in a 3-3 draw at Cray on the opening day.

Brickies led 3-1 before conceding twice at the end and, amazingly, blew another two-goal lead at the death when Three Bridges fought back for a 4-4 draw on Tuesday night.

Davis, speaking before the Three Bridges game, said: “The players think they can do whatever we want.

“We’ve got some real characters in that changing room, one or two experienced lads, and they’re a confident bunch.

“I’m so proud of the boys for the way they played at Cray but it’s one game.

“You’re not really going to be able to see anything until 15 games in.

“Even then, you get surges or collapses that can push you towards the play-offs or lead you to the relegation zone.

“We’ve just got to keep ticking over.

“I love being the underdog. We went to Cray with that tag and we’ll continue to carry it through the season.”

Sittingbourne start their FA Cup campaign on Saturday.

Kent rivals Hythe are the visitors to Woodstock in the preliminary round, with kick-off brought forward to 2pm.

The winners host Ryman League Premier Division Leatherhead in the first qualifying round on September 3.

Josh Wisson could be on the bench against Hythe after recovering from a broken arm.

Davis said: “It could have been easier but we’re at home, there’s money up for grabs and we’ll give it our best shot."