Sittingbourne can accept defeat if it helps with the bigger picture.

Brickies have slipped to 16th in Ryman League Division 1 South after losing three games in a row for the first time all season.

But they’ve been experimenting in preparation for a top-eight push next year.

Assistant boss Tony Cornwell, whose side host Carshalton on Saturday, said: “Over the last four to six weeks we’ve brought in a few players to look at.

“We felt we weren’t going to get to the play-offs and there was no risk of going down, so it’s given us the chance to experiment.

“We all want to progress and be as high as we can but we’ve changed personnel and formation with a view to looking at things for next year and being higher up the league.

“Sometimes it doesn’t always click and we’ve had to take these results on the chin.

“Our aim is to try and get a squad that can challenge for the top eight next season.

“That’s our ambition and it’s better to be able to look at people now and know we need two or three instead of having to do everything in pre-season, when people are here, there and everywhere.”

Cornwell, meanwhile, believes keeper Simon Overland has a chance of winning the player-of-the-year award.

He’s been excellent after overcoming early-season injury problems.

Cornwell said: “Over the last couple of months he’s been top drawer.

“He’s carrying a thumb injury and a slight toe injury but he’s getting through and has been in superb form.

“He started slowly because he had a couple of injuries but he’s up to his top level again.

“He’s certainly got a chance of winning player-of-the-season.”