Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell hopes the latest addition to his forward line is the final one to his squad this season.

Injuries and suspensions could still force the manager’s hand but Danny Parish’s arrival adds experience and goals to a team that are already among the leading scorers in Isthmian South East. A 2-1 win at East Grinstead on Tuesday night maintained the team’s play-off push.

Parish came off the bench for his debut on Saturday - following his unexpected release by Ashford United - as Maxwell’s side ended Herne Bay’s four-game winning run with a 3-0 win.

Maxwell said: “That’s us settled now, unless there is something else we have to act upon.

“I just felt that we needed another goal threat with his experience and I am delighted to get Danny in, other than that I am pleased and we are in a good place.

“We were just missing another out-and-out goal threat and that is why I brought in Danny. His record speaks for itself, it is about getting him up and running and making him part of the team and squad as quickly as we can. He will be a very positive signing for us.”

Parish became available despite netting 10 goals for the Nuts & Bolts.

Among the goals for the Brickies at Herne Bay last weekend and again on Tuesday was Mitchell May, a forward who is in fine form after taking his tally to nine goals from his last seven starts.

He scored from the penalty spot to double Sittingbourne’s advantage on Saturday.

Bagasan Graham had opened the scoring and the final goal was a beauty. Substitute Parish was fouled and up stepped Stefan Illic to guide the free-kick into the top corner.

“It was a good day and a good performance,” said Maxwell, whose side were due back in action last night (Tuesday) at East Grinstead.

“We were very good value against a Herne Bay team who were in good form themselves, we went into the fixture with real respect and caution. In complete truth we probably only played well in spells without being devastating but we were still more than good value for the win.”

The Brickies found themsleves a goal down at East Grinstead in midweek but Chris Harris equalised moments after they had conceded and May’s goal on 21 minutes turned out to be the winner.

On May’s form, Maxwell added: “He is a player that is developing at a really fast rate, he is growing into his body, he is learning the game and he came from nowhere really.

“I took him from step seven at Dunmow Town, he learns really quickly and puts it into practice, he isn’t one of those who nods and then doesn’t do it. The boy has a bright future, no doubt about it.”

A spell out on loan earlier in the season has helped May improve, as has learning off team-mate and Sittingbourne no.9 Chris Harris, who is just one goal shy of double figures himself.

Maxwell said: “We put him out on loan to get games, goals and confidence and also to learn a bit more of the hard yards and the little tricks of the trade as a no.9, back to goal for instance. He came back a different player.

“On top of scoring, he has learned off Chris Harris, he’s seen how Chris occupies defenders and brings others into play, his aerial duals and how he wins them.

“At Broadbridge Heath, Mitch was Chris Harris, he was the main man leading the line and he is very young to be doing that. It is great to see but I am sure Chris Harris also has to take a little bit of credit too.”

Sittingbourne goalkeeper Bobby Mason also earned special praise from the manager following his weekend performance. The manager dedicated the win to Mason, who had lost a family member in the lead up to the game.

Maxwell said: “Bobby is a lovely human being, he is very honest and it was something he kept to himself but told me on the Saturday and full credit to him with how he performed.

“His strength of character was immense. All of our thoughts were with him and we all got around him, we are so happy for him. Bobby has been fantastic for us and the clean sheet was tremendous.”

This Saturday, Sittingbourne are at home to Burgess Hill, a team who are hoping a run of positive results can get them involved in the play-off mix.

Every game for the Brickies boss is just another chance for three points, regardless of positions.

Maxwell said: “All we can do is control ourselves and when you come up against a team in and around you, you want to beat them, I just focus on us, not too much on everyone else.

“As the season is right now, if we keep doing what we do then we will be a play-off side, there is no doubt about that. All we can do is put pressure on those teams above us.”