Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish believes that new goalkeeper Preston Edwards can use his move to Stonebridge Road as a stepping stone into League football.

With Lance Cronin joining Gillingham, Daish has replaced him with the former England under-19 international.

Edwards came through the youth ranks at Millwall but was unable to break into the first team at the New Den and so joined Grays last season, when he played twice against the Fleet.

Daish was impressed and offered Edwards the chance to trial with Fleet in pre-season.

He said: "Preston did well so I decided to sign him. He’s got a good character and a good talker.

"He has probably looked at Lance and seen how playing for us acted as a stepping stone for getting a League club and it would be nice if we could do the same for Preston’s career."

Edwards played for 77 minutes of last Saturday’s friendly at Ramsgate but was mostly a spectator as the Fleet swept to a 7-0 success against their Ryman League Division 1 South opponents.

Scott Ginty led the way with a hat-trick and added two more as the Fleet won 3-0 at Safety Net Kent League Erith & Belvedere on Tuesday night.

Ebbsfleet are at home to Hayes & Yeading tomorrow (Friday) night and then play their final pre-season game at Chatham on Tuesday.

Picture: Preston Edwards pictured celebrating after helping Dover Athletic win the Ryman League Premier Division championship trophy in 2009