Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell says comeback victory over Phoenix Sports won’t be the last time they need to dig deep this season

Sittingbourne showed the character needed for a title fight in their comeback victory against Phoenix Sports.

Goals from Donvieve Jones and Bagasan Graham in the final 20 minutes on Saturday saw the Brickies overturn a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1.

Victory, having trailed to an early second-half penalty, kept them third in Isthmian South East and showed boss Ryan Maxwell his players have what it takes to challenge.

Struggling Phoenix have had a tough spell, including a 9-1 defeat at leaders Ramsgate a fortnight ago.

But they were stubborn opponents and Sittingbourne had to work hard for the points.

“We had to show character,” said Maxwell.

“It was a test and I’m glad we came through it because it won’t be the last time we have to do that.

“It shouldn’t have had to happen - we should have come in leading at half-time and it was our error for their goal - but it did.

“If we’re really going to be title contenders we must learn from that and, luckily, we showed the character and the grit and the desire needed.

“If you don’t have that, you won’t get a promotion. You must have that about you.

“You’ve got to keep going and keep pushing and turn these scenarios into a positive.

“It may seem like a negative when you’re losing but you’ve got to turn into a positive and all that mattered was three points.

“We’re three points off the top. I know we’ve played a couple of games more but we’ve got points in the bag.”

The performance of 17-year-old new boy Dan Getnanski was a major plus.

Maxwell handed the teenager - a dual-registration signing from Romford - a debut in defence and he didn’t disappoint.

“I thought he did extremely well until he got injured,” said the Brickies boss.

“He didn’t put a foot wrong.

“He didn’t know anybody, he was