Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell wonders what might have been had key striker Chris Harris not suffered injuries this season

Key man Chris Harris has made a timely return from injury as Sittingbourne gear up for the Isthmian South East play-offs.

Harris scored twice on his first start since recovering from an ankle problem as the Brickies opened up an early 2-0 lead at title-chasing Ramsgate on Easter Monday.

It finished 2-2, with the Brickies aggrieved by a penalty decision that got the hosts back in the game.

But there were plenty of positives for manager Ryan Maxwell, not least the performance of Harris.

He played the second half of a 3-0 win over Horndean - Maxwell’s 50th league game in charge - on Good Friday and was back in the starting XI at Southwood, with Danny Parish left on the bench as a precaution.

“It was a risk to start Chris because he’s just coming back for when we need him most but he played 90 minutes, scored twice and was undefendable,” said Maxwell.

“That was a huge positive and gave us loads of confidence for when the time comes in the play-offs.

“He wasn’t pencilled in to play 90 but he’s fine.

“We spoke on Tuesday morning and he was in good spirits.

“He’s had three badly twisted ankles this season.

“We’ve missed him in big games.

“Looking at his performance at Ramsgate, I can’t help but think what might have been had he played 90% of our games because he was absolutely unplayable.”

Maxwell felt Sittingbourne would have beaten Ramsgate had Joe Taylor not been awarded a 50th-minute penalty.

The ex-Brickies striker converted and Joe Turner made it 2-2 as a clash of sides second and third in the league ended in a draw.

“I still feel a bit aggrieved by the penalty decision,” said Maxwell.

“My lads were fantastic for 45 minutes and 2-0 was the least they deserved at half-time.

“We understand it’s part of Joe’s game where he’s