Billy Bricknell’s first two goals for Ebbsfleet have gone some way to alleviating his immense frustration at missing the start of the season through injury.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Fleet from Dover in June, scored eight goals in pre-season but a bad back ruled him out of the Skrill South opener against Havant & Waterlooville.

Since then, Bricknell has been eased back to action by manager Steve Brown. His double at Dorchester on Saturday earned Ebbsfleet their first win of the season and it also banished some personal demons.

Bricknell said: “I was upset and angry because I was flying in pre-season and wanted to take that into the game against Havant.

“I just bent down and felt it go. It was a horrible pain. I tried to carry on with my day but I couldn’t do anything.

“It was frustrating. I went to see a specialist and he realigned my pelvis. That seemed to fix the problem.”

Bricknell declared himself fit for the game at Dover three days later, but Brown exercised caution.

He said: “Browny knows what I’m like. We had a few chats about it over the phone and I told him I was fine but he knows me. He handled that well.”