By Steve Tervet

Ebbsfleet captain Paul Lorraine is relishing the role of FA Cup underdog.

Ebbsfleet have conceded just two goals in their last five games and they have now kept three consecutive clean sheets.

The upturn in fortunes comes as Ebbsfleet are gearing up for a trip to League 1 Carlisle United in the FA Cup first round proper.

While victory at Brunton Park would catapult Lorraine and his team-mates into the national spotlight, the Fleet skipper insists the competition remains special for other reasons too.

“It’s even bigger at our level of football because I know how much it means to the club financially,” he said.

“I’ve never been further than the first round of the FA Cup and that’s something I want to do. We go there as massive underdogs but we know we’ve got players who are capable of playing League football.”

Read the full interview, including Lorraine's heart to heart with Fleet boss Liam Daish, in this week's Gravesend Messenger