Sittingbourne's former Gillingham youth player Harrison Pont sent off for the third time this season in win at VCD

Sittingbourne manager Darren Blackburn has told Harrison Pont he needs to learn fast after the young defender was sent off for the third time this season.

Pont saw red during the second half of Bourne’s 1-0 victory at VCD and will have missed 11 matches through suspension by the time he’s completed a five-game ban for his latest dismissal.

Blackburn rates the former Gillingham youth player but says he risks getting a reputation if he doesn’t keen his nose clean.

“He’s got to learn and learn fast,” said the Brickies boss.

“He’s a really good player and it’s a waste for him to be sat in the stand.

“I told him other managers would have got rid of him by now and if he’s not careful he’s going to get a reputation as an unreliable player.

“He’ll miss five games and that will be 11 games missed through red cards this season.

“Every sending-off has been avoidable, with a bit more common sense and thought and a calmer personality.

“He’s got to learn, I’ve told him he’s got to learn - you can’t keep having that.

“We’d just got ourselves 1-0 up against 10 men on Saturday (VCD right-back Chris Edwards had been sent off for headbutting Kane Rowland) and we should have been comfortable for the rest of the game.

“The minute Harrison gets sent off, the pendulum swings back and it’s a 50:50 game again.”

Pont’s dad, Darren, is Blackburn’s assistant manager, but that changes nothing as far as the Brickies boss is concerned.

“I treat Harrison like any other player,” Blackburn added.

“He’s got away with still being around because I think very highly of him and I’ve coached him on and off for the last five years.

“His dad is the first one to tell him when he’s done something wrong but unfortunately he’s not listening to either of us at the