Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell frustrated with offside call in defeat at Sheppey United but says they must look at themselves after losing perfect record

Ryan Maxwell isn’t interested in making excuses for Sittingbourne’s Swale derby defeat.

The Brickies’ perfect start to the Isthmian South East season ended with a 2-1 loss at Holm Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

Boss Maxwell felt the Ites’ opener, scored by Rolando Onu just before half-time, was clearly offside.

Onu went on to add a second before Harvey Smith grabbed his first Brickies goal a minute from time.

Maxwell was disappointed with the officiating for the first goal but, ultimately, is looking closer to home after the result.

“I was really pleased with our performance in the first half,” said Maxwell, whose side host AFC Croydon in the FA Cup first qualifying round this Saturday (3pm).

“We dominated territorially, created chances, we’ve beaten the keeper and the defender’s got back and cleared it off the line, the keeper’s also made a very good save and then they’ve scored a goal, which is offside, in the 43rd minute.

“It’s their only attempt on goal in the first half.

“It’s really disappointing that the linesman has not called an obvious offside, which then changes the team-talk, changes the dynamic, changes the format of everything for the second half.

“They’ve got something to hold on to on a very hot day.

“I felt the first goal was crucial, and unfortunately the officials have let us down, and then the second goal is a little more self-inflicted.

“We got a bit frustrated, we went to press in an area we didn’t need to and got played around and it’s a good goal from their point of view.

“We get back to 2-1 after their keeper plucks one out of the sky, it’s a great save, we’ve then missed two headers and after getting a goal back we have a last-ditch chance to equalise from four yards and blaze it over the bar.

“We