A ninety first minute header from Aaron Barnes wrecked Sittingbourne’s long unbeaten League run and gave ten-man Hythe Town their second win at the newly named Roman Stadium this season. 

Barnes’ late goal sealed the points for the visitors who had former Brickies striker Johan Caney-Bryan sent off for a second yellow card just past the hour – the striker just one of eight former Sittingbourne players in the Hythe squad. 

It was poor night for the home side as they really could not get going and the free-flowing football that graced so much of the unbeaten run just was not there against very hard-working visitors who dominated possession for long periods – particularly in the first period. 

So, it was ironic that the Brickies had their best chances before half time – Luke Woodward did well to get into the box, but his angled shot was too high before keeper Steve Phillips did very well to deny Harry Hope after Ayman had played a delightful ball for the Brickies forward to run onto. 

At the other end, Hythe had struggled to create a clear chance until the half’s closing minutes when Kai Garande hammered a low shot which Bobby Mason did well to get his right foot to at the base of his post. 

The game was just as tight after the break but with more opportunities at both ends. Dsean Theobalds clipped the bar with a drive before the visitors were reduced to ten when Caney-Bryan was shown a second yellow card. 

The ten men then almost took the lead as a corner crashed off the underside to the Brickies crossbar before Theobalds almost turned provider as Ayman thumped a shot straight at Phillips. 

The pendulum had definitely swung the visitor’s way as Mason pulled off a brilliant fingertip save to keep out an awkward free kick before the Brickies keeper kept the score blank by somehow denying sub-Jake Embery who had the goal at his mercy. 

As the game moved into stoppage time, a long throw to the back post was smashed home by Barnes to seal the win and wreck the home side’s unbeaten run. 

SITTINGBOURNE – Mason, Jones, Graham, Woodward, Tyrie, Arthur, Piorkowski (Bentley), Theobalds, Harris, Hope (Davidson), Ayman (May) 

Subs – Adeyinka, Stringer 

HYTHE TOWN – Phillips, Goldsmith, Garande, Steventon, Liam Smith, Allan, Ethan Smith (Embery), Barnes, Caney-Bryan, Collin, Schafer (Trespaderne) 

Subs – Phillip, Flischer, Stirman 

REFEREE – Mr Goldup