An extraordinary finish ensured Sheppey came from 3-0 behind to share the spoils from their derby against Swale rivals Sittingbourne on Boxing Day in Isthmian South East.

Ites frontman Dan Bradshaw netted in stoppage time as it ended 3-3. There was to be drama even after that, though, with Sittingbourne striker Chris Harris having a last-second winning goal controversially ruled out.

Earlier, first-half goals from Harris and defender Michael Turner had put the Brickies into a two-goal half-time lead.

Forward Mitchell May converted a penalty to put them three goals to the good – only for Sheppey to get a first back through Briggs Ojemen after a goal-mouth scramble and a second courtesy of skipper Richie Hamill’s incredible long-range shot. There were then goals for either side – one standing and one disallowed – in five minutes of injury time.

Ryan Maxwell’s troops had the first chance inside two minutes at Holm Park during a dominant first half. Ites goalkeeper Aiden Prall got down low to save from forward May after Stefan Ilic had sliced Luke Woodward’s high cross into May’s path.

The hosts threatened for the first time in the 15th minute as striker Javaun Splatt fired wide of goalkeeper Bobby Mason’s left-hand post from a cross by right-back Connor Wilkins.

There was concern for the away contingent when Mason went down two minutes later, although he was fit to continue after treatment.

Sittingbourne claimed a deserved lead on 21 minutes in front of a 497-strong crowd. Mason’s long clearance was not properly cleared and Harris excellently curled beyond Prall from around 20 yards to find the far corner for his eighth goal this term.

United remained in the contest despite their sloppy start, though, and Mason spilled a long-range drive by Sheppey’s Hamill.

Harris nearly added his and his side’s second with 36 minutes played as he came off the right flank and unleashed an effort which was deflected behind for a corner.

But three minutes later, Turner then blasted them 2-0 ahead following some ping-ball after a free-kick before the defender produced a striker’s finish.

A third Sittingbourne goal looked like it would effectively end the match and only last-ditch home defending prevented that happening before the interval.

Slightly surprisingly, the Ites opted against any half-time changes but Prall was called into action inside a matter of second-half seconds.

Playmaker James Bessey-Saldanha found some space in front of the away defence in the 50th minute but sent his long-range shot over.

It got even worse for them just before the hour, as referee Kane Dempster pointed to the spot after midfielder Josh Wisson had fouled Harris. May, who penned a club contract before Christmas, sent Prall the wrong way to spark more celebrations for the visitors.

That got Sheppey into action as winger Danny Leonard came on and defender Ojemen almost instantly stabbed home a corner in a goal-mouth scramble to make it 3-1.

A frantic spell ensued and Harris hooked a long clearance narrowly wide with a 64th-minute effort while, three minutes later, a big block denied the same player.

But with 18 minutes of normal time to play, a stunning Hamill goal got the hosts their second and set up a grandstand finish. He caught Mason off his line and found the net from the best part of 40 yards.

Seconds later, the Brickies somehow didn’t restore their two-goal advantage when May headed against the crossbar from a matter of yards out.

Ernie Batten’s troops pushed hard for a late leveller but could not create much until the first of five minutes of stoppage time when Wilkins failed to get enough on a corner with a header.

They did make it 3-3 a minute later, though, when Bradshaw bundled in a Splatt right-wing delivery for his 11th goal of the campaign. Mason felt the goal should have been disallowed but was cautioned for his protests.

Sittingbourne nearly won it in the dying embers. Harris passed to substitute Alfie Bloomfield, although his low strike crashed against the post.

From a resulting free-kick, Harris nodded home but the goal was ruled out.

As several of the Brickies players surrounded the officials, a red card – seemingly to defender Joe Tyrie – was brandished at the end of an incredible affair.

Ironically, the Ites had struck late at Woodstock as the sides drew their earlier league match of the season 2-2. They also met in the FA Trophy in September at Holm Park, the hosts winning 2-1 on that occasion.

The result leaves Sittingbourne fourth, eight points off the summit but having played a league game more than leaders Ramsgate, while Sheppey are fifth.

Sheppey boss Batten named an unchanged starting line-up from the team which had won 2-1 at Lancing 10 days earlier.

That meant fit-again Leonard remained on their bench, despite the former Dartford player coming on in Sussex to score the winning goal. Experienced utility player Renford Tenyue also was an unused substitute.

The visitors’ only change saw winger Ilic replace Harry Hope.

Sheppey United: Prall, Morgan (Spencer 85mins), Majoyegbe, Ojemen, Hamill, Wilkins, Bradshaw, Splatt, Bessey-Saldanha (Leonard 59mins), Taylor, Wisson (Lambert 71mins). Subs not used: Clark, Tenyue.

Sittingbourne: Mason, Turner, Graham, Woodward (Bentley 83mins), Tyrie, Jones, El-Moghaebel (Piorkowski 74mins), Theobalds, Harris, May (Bloomfield 88mins), Ilic. Subs not used: John, Osei-Owusu.

Referee: Kane Dempster.

Attendance: 497.