Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge addresses FA Cup collapse as Brickies put their unbeaten Isthmian South East start to the test at Punjab United

Nobody went hiding following Sittingbourne’s FA Cup first qualifying round collapse as boss Reece Prestedge looks for a reaction.

Players and management had their say in the dressing room after the Brickies blew a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 at home to Greenwich Borough from the league below.

It came a week after surrendering a 3-0 lead in a 6-4 FA Trophy loss away to Aylesbury United.

Those cup exits are in stark contrast to the Brickies’ unbeaten start in the league, with Prestedge’s men fourth in Isthmian South East after three wins and a draw from four tough fixtures.

They visit newly-promoted Punjab United this Saturday (2pm).

Jordan Greenidge levelled and Harvey Smith scored twice, including a penalty, as Sittingbourne opened up a two-goal cushion over Greenwich.

But their Southern Counties East opponents stormed back with a Harry Revill double followed by an injury-time strike from ex-Gillingham forward Stefan Payne - his second of the game.

“I had some very strong words at the end of the game but I’ve got a changing room who also won’t accept that,” said Prestedge.

“I let them have their chat first and talk amongst themselves and then I expressed my disappointment and why we lost the game.

“I think everyone took it on board, everyone was on the same hymn sheet with it, and again hopefully we get the reaction.”

Prestedge added: “It’s another let-down. We should be sitting here seven unbeaten at the start of the season, not two losses.

“It’s just a bit gutting, to be 3-1 up and let ourselves down again.

“We should still be in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.

“It’s not like we’ve been beaten 2-0 or 3-0, we’re 3-0 and 3-1 up in those games.

“Defensively, in the league, we’ve been decent. We’ve conceded some sloppy goals but