Ryan Maxwell isn’t interested in making excuses for Sittingbourne’s Swale derby defeat.

The Brickies’ perfect start to the Isthmian South East season ended with a 2-1 loss at Holm Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

Boss Maxwell felt the Ites’ opener, scored by Rolando Onu just before half-time, was clearly offside.

Onu went on to add a second before Harvey Smith grabbed his first Brickies goal a minute from time.

Maxwell was disappointed with the officiating for the first goal but, ultimately, is looking closer to home after the result.

“I was really pleased with our performance in the first half,” said Maxwell, whose side host AFC Croydon in the FA Cup first qualifying round this Saturday (3pm).

“We dominated territorially, created chances, we’ve beaten the keeper and the defender’s got back and cleared it off the line, the keeper’s also made a very good save and then they’ve scored a goal, which is offside, in the 43rd minute.

“It’s their only attempt on goal in the first half.

“It’s really disappointing that the linesman has not called an obvious offside, which then changes the team-talk, changes the dynamic, changes the format of everything for the second half.

“They’ve got something to hold on to on a very hot day.

“I felt the first goal was crucial, and unfortunately the officials have let us down, and then the second goal is a little more self-inflicted.

“We got a bit frustrated, we went to press in an area we didn’t need to and got played around and it’s a good goal from their point of view.

“We get back to 2-1 after their keeper plucks one out of the sky, it’s a great save, we’ve then missed two headers and after getting a goal back we have a last-ditch chance to equalise from four yards and blaze it over the bar.

“We more than deserved a point, without playing particularly well.

“It wasn’t the best derby, that’s for sure.

“I think the heat played a part in that, it wasn’t hugely contested, there wasn’t a yellow card, which is incredible.

“We don’t cry about it, we take it on the chin and move forward.

“A lot of managers would focus on the fact they didn’t have the correct decision for their first goal.

“I will focus on the fact we should have scored two before that decision was even made.

“I will always turn it on a self-reflective note because I want to know what we could do better before we put our future in the hands of officials.

“Let’s see what we can do better, what can we do differently so we go in half-time 2-1 up because we’ve converted chances, and then we’ve still got the ascendancy to get three points.

“I’ll focus on that because I want to make us better.

“We don’t do excuses here. We do what we do and we work on us before we point fingers.”

Sittingbourne welcomed back key midfielder Richie Hamill for his first appearance of the season.

The former Sheppey man was introduced as a second-half substitute after recovering from an ankle injury and set up Smith’s consolation.

He proved his fitness turning out on dual-registration for Punjab United at the weekend.

“He played 90 minutes for Punjab on Saturday and he’s coming back from a turned ankle,” said Maxwell.

“He got on the pitch and made the goal.

“Richie’s got tremendous quality and it’s great to have him back. He’s the best passer of a ball in the league and to get him fit and out there will be a massive plus. He’s an outstanding player.”

Danny Parish scored an injury-time winner as Sittingbourne came from a goal down to beat East Grinstead 2-1 at Woodstock on Saturday.

Parish headed home a cross from fellow substitute Jaden Crowhurst after D’sean Theobalds’ equaliser.

But he missed the Swale derby along with Jean-Baptiste Fischer, although the Frenchman could be back for this weekend’s FA Cup tie.

Maxwell said: “We totally dominated the East Grinstead game - it could have been seven.

“I was very pleased for Danny Parish getting the winner. He’s had a real comeback.

“It meant everything to bring him on and score the winner.

“It was a brilliant header and a great cross.”

Sittingbourne are due in league action at Beckenham on Turesday (7.45pm).