Darren McQueen is determined to prove himself after scoring for the first time in more than a year.

McQueen, back fit after knee surgery, found the net in Ebbsfleet's 1-1 draw at Dover on Tuesday.

That strike came 372 days after the 23-year-old last found the back of the net - also at Crabble.

McQueen said: "It was more relief than anything because it's been a long time.

"The best thing about it was how pleased my team-mates were for me. Everyone knew it was coming eventually.

"The gaffer was happy with my performance and I think I'm getting back up to speed."

It was only McQueen's third start of the season, the striker having been an unused substitute four times in Fleet's nine matches so far.

He said: "I want to be playing but a lot of players have been doing well.

"Sometimes you have to sit back and when your time comes, that's when you have to prove what you can do.

"I feel I have something to prove. People know what I've done since I've been here but it's been a long time so I want people to know I'm still here and still capable.

"I was going to try to finish the game but I played a ball back to Kingy and the cramp took over my calves.

"The gaffer said 'if there's any problems come off, we don't want you getting injured again' so hopefully I've done enough to start the next game.

"Even though I've missed a lot of games, I've been watching. I've still been learning in the time I've been out.

"I'm always watching, like 'what would I have done there?' I don't think I've come back completely off the pace."