LIAM DAISH described Ebbsfleet United's historic FA Trophy semi-final win over Aldershot on Saturday as the hardest 90 minutes he has ever faced.

The Fleet manager has masterminded the club’s progress to the final for the first time in their history after they beat the Shots 4-2 on aggregate.

Daish said: “It was the worst 90 minutes of my football life. But the one thing I had in the back of my mind was that I trust the players.

“Before the game I said I was going to be calm, but you can’t at this level. I had to get involved and get amongst it.

“It was a big swing of emotions from when the first whistle went to when we were actually in the final.”

Fleet took a two-goal lead into the second leg after beating Aldershot 3-1 at Stonebridge Road last week.

For long spells, Fleet were on the back foot as the Shots searched for a second goal which would have forced extra-time, until Michael Bostwick hit an injury-time equaliser for the visitors.

Daish added: “One minute I was trying to get everyone over the line and hoping that there was going to be no human error from either a player or the referee.

“When we were 1-0 down it could have easily gone one way or the other. For us to score that goal provided another big swing of emotions. It was relief and jubilation.

“It was a great experience and something that the players will know now. At the back of their minds they’ll have what it feels like to really achieve and do something.”

More Ebbsfleet reaction in this week's Gravesend Messenger