Liam Daish has challenged his Ebbsfleet players to work harder than their relegation rivals over the final five weeks of the season.

The Fleet went toe-to-toe with a Newport side challenging for promotion to the Football League last Saturday. That performance earned them a 1-1 draw and manager Daish (pictured) wants more of the same, starting with the visit of Southport this weekend.

He said: "We’ve got to take what we’ve done against Newport, defend and work and attack for 95 minutes and give ourselves a chance.

"There’s no divine right to win any game but you’ve got to hope you can match and exceed teams in your application.

"If the result doesn’t go with us, that can happen, fair enough but we should be able to guarantee the amount of work-rate and desire that we put in."

The Fleet boss is hoping for good news from the Stonebridge Road treatment room. Craig Stone had a scan on his injured ankle on Monday and Jack Saville (hamstring) is still struggling. Joe Howe has returned after an illness while Stefan Payne (foot) also featured against Alfreton.