Ryan Maxwell wants to see Sittingbourne’s character kick in on their return to league action.

The Brickies’ record-breaking FA Trophy run ended at the weekend when they lost 3-0 to Aldershot in the last eight.

Defeat ended hopes of a trip to Wembley but there’s no time to dwell on the disappointment.

They’re playing catch-up in the Isthmian South East title race in light of their Trophy exploits, falling 10 points behind leaders Ramsgate, albeit with two games in hand.

Maxwell’s side visit fourth-placed Margate in a rearranged match tonight, while the Rams go to Merstham.

Lifting his players shouldn’t be an issue.

“I think that’s when the character really kicks in,” said the Brickies boss.

“I don’t even think that’s my job - I think that comes internally.

“I think they’ve got great character, they’re great people.

“I want them to be disappointed but we can’t afford to be disappointed for too long because the reality is the league is what we signed for.

“We signed up for a successful league campaign that ends in a promotion.

“That’s what I’m here for, that’s what I signed those players for.

“Because we are a good side, we’ve gone this far in the Trophy. Good teams get success.

“We’ve had our success in this competition but the reason we’re all here is to have success in the league.”

There will be at least one change tonight after Maxwell named injured defender Jack Steventon on the bench against Aldershot.

Steventon, who’s out for the season with a knee injury, was included in the squad as a gesture for his efforts in the Trophy run, including a man-of-the-match display at Southend in round five.

“I don’t forget what’s done for me,” said Maxwell.

“He’s put his body on the line in the last round, he was outstanding, he was man-of-the-match.

“I felt his name should be on the bench and his name should be amongst it.”