Ryan Maxwell says Sittingbourne must learn from a “very expensive lesson” in the FA Cup.

Boss Maxwell felt complacency crept in as the Brickies lost 3-0 at home to Plymouth Parkway in the third qualifying round on Saturday.

They did, however, bounce back with a 2-0 Isthmian South East win at Burgess Hill on Tuesday night.

Parkway play a level above Maxwell’s men but their winless start in Southern League Premier South, including a 9-3 defeat at Hungerford the week before, lulled home players into a false of security.

They paid a heavy price as the Devon club set up a meeting with Worthing in the final qualifying round.

Sittingbourne weren’t helped by a soft penalty decision as Callum Hall gave the visitors an early lead.

The Brickies had a big appeal of their own waved away, while Mitchell May hit the post in a one-on-one before the hosts conceded a poor second as Hall struck again.

The hosts improved in the second half, with another big chance falling May’s way, but Matthew Wright secured Plymouth’s progress with a third goal.

Maxwell, who was serving a touchline ban, said: “If I’m honest, having spoken to the players afterwards, there was a little bit of complacency.

“I suppose if you’re looking at the opposition’s results, it’s natural to let complacency slip in.

“Although it shouldn’t, I’m well aware that it did on Saturday.

“We’re all human beings and information makes you feel a certain way, so you’re seeing their results and you’re feeling confident.

“We are at this particular point getting good results and we’re thinking to ourselves, ‘let’s go again’ but you can’t have that approach, which was discussed for 25 minutes afterwards.

“There was an opportunity and we just haven’t turned up with our usual game and that’s the really disappointing thing. Everyone’s annoyed with themselves because of that.

“The FA Cup has to end at some point but this is a very expensive lesson for the boys.

“We’ve got some young boys in our team and I said to them you’ve got to take this experience in because you won’t always get these opportunities to play in the fourth round qualifying and potentially the first round proper, and I need you to understand that because you’ll blink and you’ll be retired.

“It’s a very harsh learning curve but we’ve got to use it as fuel now in our league campaign and the FA Trophy as well.

“That’s the name of the game, you’ve got to bounce back. That’s what we have to do.

“There are setbacks, in football and in life, and you have to react.

“It’s disappointing, it really is, and I’m gutted for everyone at the club.

“It’s an experience we’ll have to learn from and hopefully we are all better for it.”

Sittingbourne responded with goals from Ryan Kingsford and Troy Howard at Burgess Hill last night - their fourth league win in five games.

They host Bognor Regis in the FA Trophy third qualifying round this Saturday (3pm).

The Rocks play a league up in the Isthmian Premier and the Brickies will be ready for them.

“They’ve always had a DNA, no matter what,” said Maxwell.

“They pass the ball, they keep the ball on the floor, and I think they’ve kept that DNA with them.

“We can’t take anyone for granted, particularly a team in the league above.

“They’ll be given the respect they deserve, they are where we want to be and we need to have that attitude going into the game.”

Sittingbourne, meanwhile, have signed former Colchester youngster Samson Uwand.

The 19-year-old was a free agent after leaving the League 2 club at the end of last season.

“He’s a pacy, strong, winger/forward,” said Maxwell.

“He needs a bit of work and we’re going to try and help him get there.

“He’s someone we knew about last year when he went on loan to Walthamstow and Redbridge.

“There’s talent and potential there and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Sittingbourne visit Deal in the league on Tuesday night (7.45pm).