Ryan Maxwell described Sittingbourne’s FA Trophy run as a “dream we just don’t want to end” after reaching the last 16.

The Brickies boss saw his side bridge a two-division gap for the second successive round by beating National League South outfit Salisbury on Saturday.

Already the lowest-ranked side remaining, they followed their 4-2 victory over Enfield in round three by winning 2-1 with goals from Richie Hamill and Henry Sinai.

Sittingbourne entered the qualifying rounds in September - this was their seventh game in the competition - and they’re still standing after another superb display.

Indeed, it was their fifth upset win of a memorable run, sparking jubilant scenes at Woodstock.

The fifth-round draw takes place on Monday afternoon, with possible opponents including ex-Football League clubs Southend and Aldershot.

Isthmian South East Sittingbourne had never been beyond the second round before this season.

“It’s like a dream that we just don’t want to end,” said Maxwell.

“That squad we have are capable of anything.

“They’re tremendous players but they also carry out instructions that they believe in.

“And, like anything in life, when you believe in something, and you carry it out right, you expect a result or at least you know the result can be achieved.

“The boys were unbelievable today.

“We were trying to pick out a man-of-the-match.

“I thought Jack Steventon was outstanding at centre-half, incredible.

“He won every header, read the game well and cleared his lines.

“It was an outstanding performance but there were so many great performances. What a group and a fully deserved win.”

Sittingbourne dominated the first half in front of 706 fans at Woodstock, going closest when Troy Howard hit the post.

The second half was briefly delayed by a partial floodlight failure - Brickies director John Pitts and defender Liam Smith taking a look at the fault.

Hamill broke the deadlock after a mistake by Salisbury keeper Dan Lincoln and Sinai scored the second in added time before Ronan Silva’s penalty consolation.

Report: Sittingbourne 2-1 Salisbury

Maxwell said: “I do think we were the better side, comfortably, in the first half, and we should have come in at least a goal to the good.

“I was already celebrating when Troy hit the post but we didn’t score and again it’s another string to the boys’ bow where they don’t get too disheartened.

“They go again and you have to have that or you’ll feel a bit sorry for yourself at some point and, before you know it, they’ll score.

“To go again after being good, against a team two leagues above, it shows real character and the boys have got it in abundance.

“I felt we’d put enough pressure on to deserve a goal and if you keep putting people under pressure, eventually you can earn a bit of luck.

“Yes, the keeper’s made an error but we should have scored before that.

“I’m delighted for Richie, he’s got a wand of a left foot. It won’t go down as a goal in history, that’s for sure, but a goal’s a goal.”

Sittingbourne defended magnificently after taking the lead as Salisbury began to show their National League South quality.

Having kept them at bay, the Brickies got their reward with Sinai’s clincher before the visitors converted their dying-seconds penalty.

“It’s probably why Steventon gets man-of-the-match,” said Maxwell, reflecting on the Brickies’ defending.

“He’s been asked a lot of questions and he’s answered them all.

“They did come at us, they had to, and we obviously knew we could hurt them on the counter, but you’ve got to withstand it.

“There’s some good footballers in that Salisbury side, we knew that, some good technicians, and they showed that in the second half.

“Our pitch was quite soft on top and they still moved the ball pretty well. I do give them credit for that but we withstood everything they threw at us.”

As for Sinai’s goal, Maxwell added: “It’s euphoria for a minute or so because you know there’s a lot to do from Salisbury’s point of view.

“They were a bit exposed at the time and we’ve capitalised.

“Two-nil, with a matter of minutes to go, you’re confident but you’ve not won yet and, of course, they scored so it’s never done until the whistle’s blown.

“I wanted everyone to enjoy it, players, staff, fans, family, everybody.

“I was confident of getting a result but I felt it was more important to enjoy the ride because you’ll blink and it’ll be over at some point.”