Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge targeting maximum points from final five games to guarantee Isthmian South East play-off place

Manager Reece Prestedge is taking no chances with Sittingbourne’s play-off fate.

He’s targeting maximum points from the final five games of the season to clinch a top-five finish.

That’s the mentality required as the Brickies look to avoid relying on other teams dropping points.

Sittingbourne slipped to fifth - the final play-off spot - after losing 4-1 at home to play-offs rivals AFC Whyteleafe on Saturday.

They have a three-point cushion over local rivals Faversham, while Margate and Deal, a further three and four points back respectively, can’t be discounted.

“I want to win all five games,” said Prestedge. “I think you’ve got to look at it like that.

“You need to do what you need to do to get in those play-offs.

“I don’t think there’s any point looking at other fixtures and going ‘they’ll probably drop points there’ and looking to rely on other teams, you’ve just got to make sure you do everything you can to be in there.

“If that takes five wins, then five wins it is.

“If you look at Whyteleafe, they’re on the back of 12 games unbeaten and momentum is everything.

“Their momentum against us got them over the line, especially with the quality they’ve got.

“They took their chances at the right times and caused problems at the right times.”

Sittingbourne visit relegated East Grinstead on Saturday (3pm).

The Wasps have won only once all season, conceding 143 goals in 37 games, but a respectful Prestedge is taking nothing for granted.

“From the outside, people will probably look at and say it’s a great place to bounce back,” he said.

“But, to be fair, I’d take a 1-0 win.

“It’s more about wins and points on the board than anything else.

“Even though they’re relegated, you’ve still got to go there and respect them.

“They’re