Despite a heavy FA Cup defeat at the weekend Sittingbourne joint boss Jim Ward had nothing but praise for his players.

With refereeing decisions going against his side all afternoon, it made for a difficult afternoon against big-spending Whitehawk.

Sittingbourne lost the match 5-0 against a side boasting players such as Matt Lawrence and Scott McGleish - both boasting considerable league experience.

"The tone of the game was set in the first 10 minutes," said Ward (pictured).

"We should have had a penalty and then one of their players went over the top, in a tackle, and should have been sent off. In the next minute, the referee gives them a penalty and sends Davis off.

"Without a doubt we have been hard done by and it would have been a difficult enough afternoon anyway even without those decisions.

"After the first 10 minutes, we were bang on it and were causing them problems.

"Our lads were excellent and they showed so much commitment – they never stopped working."

The Brickies followed up Saturday's game with a 1-0 defeat to Leatherhead in the Ryman League, Division 1 South on Tuesday night.

On Saturday the Brickies are at home tie against Horsham in the FA Trophy preliminary round.