Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell devastated for players and fans after losing on penalties to Burgess Hill in Isthmian South East play-off final

Ryan Maxwell said he was devastated after Sittingbourne’s Isthmian South East play-off final defeat.

The Brickies boss saw his side beaten 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in front of a record Woodstock crowd of 1,583 on Friday night.

Mitchell May gave the hosts a half-time lead but substitute Stefan Vukoje levelled and the Hillians triumphed on spot-kicks.

Sittingbourne finished runners-up with 101 points and reached the FA Trophy quarter-finals in an extraordinary season.

But Burgess Hill were celebrating at the end of a dramatic night as they joined champions Ramsgate in winning promotion to the Isthmian Premier.

“First of all, congratulations to Burgess Hill,” said Maxwell.

“Anyone that wins a play-off final should be congratulated and good luck to them next season.

“From our point of view we’re obviously devastated because, if you’re not, you’re telling lies.

“I’m only devastated for the players and the fans and the owners, who are my friends, and I do mean that.

“I’ve got broad shoulders, I’ll be fine, but I’m gutted for my players firstly because they have given me everything.

“Everything I’ve asked for, they’ve done it.

“We’ve had an unbelievable season.

“We won’t really appreciate that right now because we’ve just lost a play-off final on penalties, but I do know we’ve had an unbelievable season and the points we gathered would have been enough to win any other league, pretty much.”

Report: Sittingbourne 1-1 Burgess Hill (aet, Hill win 3-2 on pens)

Maxwell felt Sittingbourne’s long season may finally have caught up with them on the night.

Balancing FA Trophy and league commitments hit their title charge and they couldn’t keep pace with a formidable Ramsgate side despite clocking up a century of points.

They