Sittingbourne are top of the table at Christmas after continuing their remarkable form.

The Brickies rattled off a 12th successive league victory on Saturday by winning 2-1 at Eastbourne Town.

They move a point clear of long-time leaders Ramsgate after their match at Merstham was called off.

Aware of the postponement, Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell urged his players to take the Christmas No.1 spot in Isthmian South East.

They did it, thanks to goals from Troy Howard and Ryan Kingsford, and go into the Boxing Day derby at home to Swale rivals Sheppey in great shape.

“It’s one of those things we all look at come Christmas time,” said Maxwell.

“If you’re top at Christmas you always think you’ve got a real good chance to go and do something.

“Obviously we’ve played an extra game than Ramsgate now but they’ve got to win that game.

“It’s nice for the mental side of it to be top.

“You have to make players aware of opportunities and I did make them aware of it, the opportunity was there to go top.

“It was in the team-talk and I thought it was right to tell them.

“It’s the first time we’ve been top.

“There’s a significance behind it but there’s a long, long, long way to go, we know that, so nothing will change here. But it’s still nice to be top on Christmas Day.”

A big crowd is anticipated for the 1pm kick-off on Boxing Day as Sittingbourne put their 100% home record on the line against local rivals Sheppey.

The Brickies have won 11 out of 11 at Woodstock but know the Ites, who sit just outside the play-offs, will test that run.

“I really hope the weather’s kind and it encourages people to come out,” said Maxwell, whose side continue a busy spell with a trip to Broadbridge Heath this Saturday (3pm).

“I’d love a big crowd there. It’s always a special game on Boxing Day and Sheppey are a very good side.

“They’re going to be very tough opponents but we’re looking forward to the game.

“If we could get 800 there, that would be really nice, and if we got a thousand, I’d be over the moon.”

Brickies midfielder Richie Hamill faces his old club for the first time since his summer move from Sheppey.

Hamill was a big favourite over five seasons with the Ites but has a job to do for the Brickies now.

“What I’ve learned about Richie is he’s incredibly level-headed,” said Maxwell.

“He’s been a tremendous signing and all the boys will tell you so as well.

“I think he’ll approach it like any other game.

“He’s a level-headed guy, he plays level-headed, never too high or too low, and he’s Mr Consistent.

“I think that also reflects in his personality and character.

“He’s not even mentioned the game, and I think it will be just another day at the office for him.”

Maxwell wasn’t convinced the Eastbourne game should have finished after a partial floodlight failure.

The hosts turned off the lights at half-time and when they switched them back on for the second half, only three of the four pylons were working.

It meant right-back Liam Smith was defending in near-darkness but referee Richard Joss was happy to continue.

While Sittingbourne took the win, Maxwell questioned the decision to play on.

He said: “I spoke to the referee and said, ‘Look, this could be dangerous, somebody could get a bad injury here because it’s really dark and it’s going to get darker’.

“Bearing in mind, it wasn’t on the linesman’s side, either, there’s no way he could have seen across there.

“I couldn’t believe it when the referee said, ‘Yeah, we’re going to play it’.

“It was very testing for Liam Smith in that right-back area.

“I was very surprised and disappointed in the referee.

“I was actually looking out for their players more than mine because my player, Liam Smith, will be tackling their winger in the dark, and I know Liam won’t pull out of a tackle.

“I’m very relieved to have won the game and that nobody got injured because it was a possibility, there’s no doubt about it.”

Maxwell ended up being sent off after a “horrendous decision” to show him a second yellow card.

Accused of delaying a restart, the Northern Irishman says he was simply standing in his technical area when a home player walked into him as he tried to pinch extra yards at a throw-in.

“I haven’t moved,” said Maxwell. “I haven’t stepped in the player’s way, I’m already there.

“He’s chosen to get that ball and try to nick yards and he’s walked straight into me.

“It’s a horrendous decision by the referee.”