By Alex Hoad

Sittingbourne boss Gary Abbott says his side are well-placed to bounce back from the disappointment of missing the Ryman League Division 1 South play-offs last season.

Last year the Brickies went on a fine run which saw them lose just two of 16 games, although they fell six points short of a place in the top five.

Bourne are now in the midst of a run of just two defeats in the past 11 games, leaving them six points off the top five with two games in hand over fifth-placed Walton & Hersham.

Abbott, pictured, said: "We were going for the play-offs last year and we ended up short – I was devastated.

"Things are different this year. The struggling teams we were dropping points against last year we are beating this year.

"The side have no fear. They are so young that I doubt they’d feel the pressure if we had to win our last game to get into the play-offs."

Tuesday’s trip to Godalming was rained off but the Brickies welcome the Surrey side to Bourne Park on Saturday looking to close a gap which has been reduced to four points after Godalming were docked three for fielding an ineligible player earlier this season.

Abbott said: "It is a massive game and I’m really looking forward to it. We have played and beaten a lot of the top teams and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same again."

Abbott was waiting on the outcome of Thursday's Championship Manager Cup fourth round clash at Billericay before naming his squad.