Darren Blackburn is facing another break in his Sittingbourne management career.

Blackburn has taken charge of just eight games since succeeding Chris Lynch in March.

He had to wait until September for the first of those, with the first national lockdown announced days after accepting the job.

And with the country going back into lockdown for a month on Thursday, the Brickies will again be without football.

“At our level, if there’s no fans, there’s no football,” said Blackburn.

“The Isthmian League have been good, they understand what it takes to fund a club at this level.

“No fans means no football and with Boris putting us into lockdown, fans won’t be allowed in.

“I think we all knew it was going to be a weird season - it’s not the easiest time to be a football manager at any level.

“I’ve got seven-day approaches in for two or three players and you’re trying to build and retain a squad but this situation makes it doubly difficult.

“You’re trying to speak to players but there are so many variables now.”

Sittingbourne went out of the FA Trophy on penalties at Barking on Saturday.

Harry Goodger and George Monger were denied by Manny Agboola as the hosts won 4-3 on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw.

Isaac Westendorf put the Londoners in front on 14 minutes after a mix-up between keeper Jordan Perrin and defender Freeman Rogers.

Kane Rowland levelled on 29 minutes and the third qualifying round tie went the distance after Rogers had a goal from a corner ruled out.

Blackburn felt it should have stood.

He said: “It’s frustrating because Freeman’s in the centre of the goal and, unfortunately, four or five yards behind him there’s some jostling in the box between Harry Miller and of their players.

“The referee has given a free-kick but the ball’s not going there. For me, that should only be a foul if it’s active.

“If that counts we probably go on and win but that’s the second week running we’ve been on the end of an interesting decision.

“It cost us a point last week and this one’s knocked us out of the FA Trophy and cost us money.

“Their keeper hadn’t looked confident during the game but penalties can make heroes and he pulled off two saves.

“It was a frustrating afternoon all round to concede the sloppy goal, have a perfectly good one disallowed and then go out on penalties.”

Meanwhile, the return of former captain Chris Webber is more of a casual arrangement.

Right-back Webber rejoined the Brickies last week but won't be around much.

Blackburn said: "He's signed on a relaxed agreement because he's started a new career and won't be available as much as he was previously.

"It gives us another quality player in the squad to call upon if he's available and if I need him.

"It's an agreement that suits both parties - we're quite happy about it.

"I don't want fans thinking he's going to be here every week because it won't be like that."

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