Sittingbourne 1 Three Bridges 2 match report: Isthmian South East play-off semi-final defeat after Chris Harris’ first-half opener

Sittingbourne were knocked out of the Isthmian South East play-offs on Tuesday night after a dramatic comeback by Three Bridges.

The Brickies appeared to be on course for a place in Friday night’s showdown but lost their way in the last 20 minutes as they conceded twice to see their campaign come to an abrupt end.

Three Bridges signalled their intent after just 10 seconds when Noel Leighton tried an audacious long-range effort but his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar/

It didn't take long for Sittingbourne to gain the upper hand. They nearly led with their first sight of goal on 10 minutes as the excellent Chris Harris played in Bagasan Graham and his low right-foot shot came back off the inside of the post with keeper Jasper Sheik beaten before being cleared to safety.

The home side's pressure told on 22 minutes when they made the breakthrough. Sheik never looked comfortable trying to punch clear Correy Davidson's corner under pressure and, when the ball was kept alive in the penalty area, Harris eventually forced it over the line.

Sittingbourne's double was nearly doubled two minutes later when Graham was allowed space to advance and his cross picked out Donvieve Jones at the far post. His shot was deflected over the bar and the resulting corner again posed problems before Three Bridges cleared the danger.

Jones is always a threat going forward and he proved it again on the half-hour, advancing before playing in Mitchell May who forced an excellent save from Sheik.

With Davidson influential and the Brickies marking Brannon O'Neill out of the game, every time the home side attacked they looked dangerous. Defender Billy Irving went into the book five minutes before the break for taking out Harris after Jones