Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon has defended goalkeeper Brandon Hall in the week which saw Preston Edwards recalled from Boreham Wood and sent back out on loan.

Hall was left red-faced at Truro last Saturday when Anthony Acheampong’s back-pass rolled past him for a bizarre own goal.

McMahon chose Hall as his No.1 last summer and sent Edwards out on loan for the season, signing Jon Miles as back-up.

But Edwards has barely played for Wood in the National League and he’s now joined Dulwich Hamlet until the end of the campaign, with McMahon backing Hall to bounce back.

He said: "Brandon’s disappointed. You don’t want to concede a goal like that but it’s one of those freak things that happen.

"He’s a fantastic goalkeeper. He’s 22 and going to be a Football League goalkeeper, no doubt.

"There’s not many 22-year-olds playing in a side that’s top of the table at any level. Everything he does is always scrutinised because of his age.

"He already is a fantastic goalkeeper and he’s going to be even better in the future."

Ebbsfleet, 10 points clear at the top of National League South, start a run of three consecutive home games when Hayes & Yeading visit Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

"We need to win," said McMahon, whose side then host Havant & Waterlooville on Tuesday.

"There is still a long way to go. I know everyone’s probably getting bored of me saying that but there is.

"There are going to be many twists and turns before the end of the season.

"The two sides behind us (Maidstone and Sutton) have got games in hand but they have both got to visit Truro."

Danny Kedwell serves a one-match ban this Saturday having missed the trip to Cornwall for personal reasons.