Daryl McMahon has vowed to meet the challenge of ending his worst run as Ebbsfleet manager.

Fleet have gone six games without a win, taking just two of a possible 18 points so far in September.

They’re closer to the National League relegation zone than the play-offs and are already 14 points adrift of leaders Leyton Orient.

But the manager retains belief in his players and insists they will all stand up and be counted.

McMahon said: “It’s hard. I’m not used to it. We’ve had three years of winning and the last three weeks, we’ve not.

“For me it’s a new challenge that I’m more than happy to take on. I believe in the group and know the club believe in what we’re doing.

“It’s easy to win but it’s hard to lose when you’re not used to it.

“You have to keep believing and doing the right things. Don’t go into your shell, keep being brave – and we will do.”

McMahon dropped three of his senior players for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Havant and Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Bromley.

Danny Kedwell started both games on the bench while Andy Drury and Jack King were left out completely.

“It was always going to happen if I’m honest,” McMahon said.

“I’m not writing anyone off but there’s other people in the group that have been training well.

“This league is about energy and legs and Saturday was a promising performance.

“Even though the result was the wrong one on Tuesday, the performance was better than Saturday and now we have to keep building on what we’ve got and keep believing.

“We’ve got some terrific players and characters.

“Some people, in football especially, can lack character. Young players, if it’s not going their way, can sulk but you’ve seen a group that are the other way.

“They’re men, they won’t make excuses and I won’t make excuses. We’ll keep working hard.”

Ebbsfleet head to Dagenham on Saturday just four points above the bottom four.

The Daggers are also struggling, having won only twice all season under new boss Peter Taylor.

McMahon said: “I don’t think we’re far away. If we go one or two up, I think we’ll go and trounce someone but ‘if’ is a big word. We’ve got to go and do it. We just need something to fall for us.

“The important thing in these periods, when you’re not winning, is to go away and look at the performance.

“We’ve got to keep believing in what we’re doing and stick to what we’re good at.”

Defender Kenny Clark returns from suspension this weekend.