Jack Midson believes Sheppey made a statement with their 5-1 win over Isthmian South East play-off rivals Beckenham.

The Ites led 3-0 inside half an hour on Saturday thanks to goals from Eddie Allsopp, Jake Embery and Danny Leonard.

Nick Curran replied but Richie Hamill’s penalty and a debut goal from on-loan Gillingham midfielder Matty Macarthur completed an emphatic victory as Sheppey moved up to fifth place.

They’re just a point outside the play-offs with five games to go and visit Haywards Heath this Saturday.

“We’ve sent out a bit of a statement with that scoreline,” said Ites boss Midson.

“Some people might look at a score like that and think it flattered us but we thoroughly deserved it.

“I’m not sure if they came thinking they would turn us over but we had a game plan and we stuck to it.

“The first goal - albeit slightly flukey - helped and we went from there. We worked the ball really well into key areas higher up the pitch and played well. I was very pleased with it.

“No disrespect to Beckenham but I think they were surprised by us and the way we moved the ball.”

Sheppey have won four successive games since their long unbeaten run was halted by back-to-back defeats.

They have every chance of gatecrashing the play-offs after surging up the table since the turn of the year.

“It was a real kick in the teeth when we lost that 10-game unbeaten run,” said Midson.

“But you always try and see the positives in things and maybe it was a little reminder not to get carried away.

“If you get complacent, anyone can beat you in this league.

“It was a kick up the backside and hopefully we’ve learned from that and it will kick us on for the rest of the season.

“We’ll keep fighting for the play-offs until it’s mathematically impossible.

“The other teams have been up there all season, whereas we’ve been creeping up the table.

“I’d rather be in our position than looking behind you seeing teams coming up.

“There’s no pressure on us. We’re not expected to make the play-offs but I know what we’re capable of and if it happens, we’ll take it as it comes.

“We know Haywards Heath will be a completely different game to Beckenham and Sevenoaks the week before.

“They’re fighting for points and we won’t take them for granted.”

Sheppey are the second-highest scorers in the division with 62 goals in 33 games.

Only leaders Ramsgate, with 66, have scored more.

They have the ammunition to hurt teams, as shown by putting five past Beckenham despite missing leading scorer Warren Mfula through illness.

Midson said: “I don’t always look at the table but I did this weekend and I noticed we’re the second-highest scorers.

“We’ve conceded a few but we’re slowly improving that and I still think we’ve got the best keeper in the league in Aiden Prall.

“If we’re still banging in five without Warren Mfula, that shows you the strength of character and ability we’ve got.

“I’ll see how Warren is for this weekend. There’s a few bugs going round at the moment.

“You want players in but you don’t want to spread anything.

“It’ll give me a decision to make if he’s available.

“I might have to drop myself from the squad.”