Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell says the referee robbed his side of victory against Swale rivals Sheppey United after awarding injury-time penalty

Ryan Maxwell pointed the finger at referee Fabio Roque after an injury-time penalty denied Sittingbourne victory against Swale rivals Sheppey.

Brickies boss Maxwell said his team were robbed after Monday’s derby at Woodstock ended 2-2.

The Ites led through Dan Bradshaw but Sittingbourne were on course for victory following Ayman El-Moghaebel’s double.

There was a late twist, however, when Roque awarded a last-gasp penalty, converted by Richie Hamill.

“We were robbed,” said Maxwell. “It’s a very disappointing day for me and the club because we were robbed of three points.

“It’s not Sheppey’s fault - it was down to the referee, I’m afraid.

“I’m gutted because we deserved to win the game but the referee has given them a penalty when he’s waved away two, in fact three, of ours that were more obvious than the one he gave them.

“It’s a check, that was it, and their guy falls down and he gives the penalty to make it 2-2 in the last couple of minutes of added time.

“We’ve had a foul on Javaun Splatt which looked to me like he had to give the penalty, and a push on Jean-Baptiste Fischer, which he’s not given.

“What made that one worse was the linesman confirmed it should have been a penalty.”

Sittingbourne gifted Sheppey the opener after failing to clear their lines but, with Josh Osude causing havoc down the right, were looking good for back-to-back Isthmian South East victories following Saturday’s 3-0 win at Horndean.

Maxwell said: “Sheppey didn’t overly worry us but the referee has gifted them a penalty and we’ve given them the first goal, whereas we’ve scored two open-play goals and the balance of play was in our favour.

“Saying that, looking at the team, it is a little lacking in experience at times.

“Even though the