Sittingbourne defender Jack Steventon’s season is over after suffering a dislocated knee.

Steventon, man-of-the-match in the Brickies’ FA Trophy fifth-round win at Southend, is facing months out.

He’s been a revelation since joining from Hythe in the early weeks of the season and will be sorely missed.

The injury rules him out of next month’s FA Trophy quarter-final tie against Aldershot and the Isthmian South East promotion run-in, with Bourne second in the league.

Steventon, who went off injured at Erith Town a fortnight ago, is facing an operation after discovering the extent of his injury.

“I’m absolutely heartbroken for Jack that he won’t play in the Trophy because he was man-of-the-match in the last round,” said Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell.

“It’s terrible, absolutely terrible. We’re all absolutely gutted for him.

“He’ll be out for months, not weeks. It’s horrible.

“He’s poured absolutely everything into this season, he’s been a joy to manage.

“His attitude since his injury has been phenomenal.

“He got over his disappointment on Thursday.

“He got the news to say he’s probably going to need an operation and is out for months, and by Friday he was positive and fully behind the team, and he came to the game on Saturday.

“I cannot praise that man enough. He’s a class act. He’s a very strong character but he’s allowed to be disappointed and he was extremely disappointed when he gave me the news.

“He was devastated, as was I, because he’s a phenomenal player and a phenomenal fella.

“Every member of the squad will tell you what a great guy Jack is, a humble guy, going about his business putting in tremendous performances week after week.

“He’s been the most perfect example of a player that has adapted to whatever role has been given to him in terms of information.

“He’s improved dramatically, he’s scored goals, including four in one game.

“He’s been outstanding in every way, on and off the pitch.

“He didn’t start all the games at first but he made himself undroppable.”

General sale tickets for Sittingbourne’s Trophy tie against Aldershot on March 1 have sold out, the club announced on Monday.

Fans queued outside before last weekend’s home match against Beckenham to snap up tickets for what’s set to be the biggest game in their history.

Season-ticket holders hav a final chance to take up reserved tickets at the club tonight, with the fixture heading for a 1,300 sell-out.

“That was quite significant when I arrived at the ground on Saturday,” said Maxwell. “I always get there pretty early and there were already 50 people in the queue.

“To walk down the queue and say hello to everybody, it was really nice.

“When I first came to watch Sittingbourne play, there were 120 people there.

“Two years later, which isn’t a long time, we have people queuing outside the door before a game to buy tickets for an FA Trophy quarter-final. It’s a massive turnaround and one I’m very proud of.

“I’m a man of my word, I did promise I would bring good times here.

“I promised I’d take us from the bottom of the table to the top and here we are, but I’ve got more to do.

“We’re still in the process. I’m still doing what I said I’d do and I haven’t completed it yet.

“I know we’re in a fantastic moment and it’s going to be one we look back at in years to come but there’s still so much more to do and we’ve got a big fight on our hands.

“I want that promotion and the Trophy is obviously historic and something that’s going to be with the club forever.

“But I’ve got a job to do and I’ve got to stay focused.”

Sittingbourne dropped points at home for the first time this season when Beckenham held them to a goalless draw on Saturday.

It was also the first time they’ve failed to score in the league.

“It wasn’t through lack of trying,” said Maxwell.

“We were very unlucky not to score - we’ve had four cleared off the line.

“I can’t fault the lads but I also have to commend Beckenham.

“They were slightly fortunate but they defended very well.

“We did more than enough to win. It was just one of those days where the ball wouldn’t go in.”

The Brickies responded with a 3-0 home win over fourth-placed Margate on Tuesday night.

Troy Howard and Donvieve Jones gave them a half-time cushion, with Henry Sinai adding a last-minute third.

Sittingbourne, who remain six points behind leaders Ramsgate, visit second-bottom Hythe this Saturday (3pm).