Ryan Maxwell conceded the title after Sittingbourne’s defeat by Ramsgate on New Year’s Day.

Boss Maxwell took great pride in the Brickies’ performance in a 3-2 loss against the Isthmian South East leaders.

But they’re 13 points behind the Rams in fourth place, having played a game more.

And that’s too much ground to make up on a side who have dropped only five points in 17 matches all season.

“We have to be realistic and say it’s out of our hands,” said Maxwell, whose side drew 3-3 at Sheppey and 2-2 at Cray Valley over Christmas before the Rams defeat.

“Had we won, we still have to play them again and you never know.

“There’ll be a time when they have a little dip in form, because that’s only natural, but I think there’s too much of a gap for us to catch them.

“All we can do is look after ourselves because that was the only time we could directly affect Ramsgate until we play them again and they’ve come away the victors.

“It was a tough three games over Christmas and we certainly deserve more points than we got.

“We scored seven goals but we’ve let in eight, which is too many, and ultimately, with that result on Monday, we have to understand it’s out of our hands now.

“We still have to focus on it, because anything can happen, but we also have to be realistic.

“Full credit to Ramsgate. It’s OK having lots of money, which Ben (Smith, manager) admitted before the game, but he still has to put them together and he’s done that well.

“Ramsgate will win this league - they will.

“If we’re all being honest, they should win it but they’ve put themselves in a position where you cannot afford to slip up because they don’t.

“They’re there to be shot at, they’re a lot of teams’ cup final and they’re dealing with that well.”

Craig Stone’s early own goal put Sittingbourne in front but Jordan Green levelled on the stroke of half-time.

TJ Jadama put the visitors 2-1 up before Bourne lost Chris Harris to a second yellow card for a challenge on Joe Ellul and Rams extended their lead through Joe Taylor.

Maxwell’s men kept going and set up a big finish with Harry Hope’s late goal but the visitors held on for the win.

“It was a tight game,” said the Brickies boss.

“We probably needed to come in at 1-0 but they scored right on half-time.

“We were a bit sloppy for their second goal, although it was a good strike, and then Joe Ellul has played the game and got Chrissy a second yellow, which it wasn’t but looked like it might have been.

“We’re down to 10 and full credit to my lads because Ramsgate didn’t have a lot of chances.

“They scored three goals, yes, but we weren’t incredibly busy despite the fact they had the extra man.

“The boys showed real heart, grit and determination.

“At 3-1 you think they could maybe open us up a little bit here but we didn’t let that happen.

“We made a couple of subs and the two combined for the goal to make it 3-2.

“Hand on heart, Ben was relieved to hear the final whistle.

“We were still pushing and he said to me after the game we maybe deserved a draw.

“I was disappointed but very proud of the team for the performance against a side that would sit comfortably at Step 3, right now.

“They’ve got a fantastic goalscorer, lots of experience and very good players, so to perform in the manner we did, I was very, very proud of my team.

“It’s the proudest I’ve been of them so far this season

“If we’d kept 11 men on the pitch the result might have been different but full credit to Ramsgate.

“They’re the best team we’ve played and it was a very good game of football.”

Sittingbourne host bottom side Beckenham at Woodstock this Saturday (3pm).