Garry Hill believes a growing sense of togetherness has made Ebbsfleet dark horses for the play-offs.

Since Hill was appointed manager in November, the Fleet have taken more points than any other side in the National League.

They extended their unbeaten run to four matches on Tuesday night with a 0-0 draw at Halifax which moved them to within one place and two points of the top seven.

Next up is a mouth-watering home game against Wrexham on Saturday.

Hill said: “I keep quite a low profile but I know the course.

“It’s always going to be hard for those teams who are sitting in the top seven because there is less pressure when you’re chasing them.

“When those teams are in the seven, they’re knocking each other about and we’re getting into an area where hopefully, over the next four weeks, we can still make a big impression.

“We’ve now got ourselves in a position as dark horses which will surprise a lot of people in respect of the publicity – which is unfair at times – that we’ve had off the pitch.

“From the top to the bottom, the football club has found that togetherness.

“There’s still a lot that’s got to happen going forward in respect of the structure but with seven players gone and five staff gone, 24 players down to 17 and nine staff down to four. We’ve only had two players come in during the four months we’ve been here.

“Sometimes I believe a close-knit squad can bring you closer and stronger and that seems to be the way at present.”

Wrexham arrive at Stonebridge Road sitting third but having lost three of their last four games while Fleet are chasing a third straight home win.

Hill said: “What I’m seeing signs of here is (a club) united together. We’re getting a situation where the Ebbsfleet fans really do believe they’re getting a club back on track – and all credit to the boss (Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi).

“It’s very easy for people to say this and say that but the boss is dealing with situations with Dave Archer and Peter Danzey.

“We can turn round as a manager and football players, saying we’re getting the results but there’s been a fair bit to do. There’s still a lot to do off the pitch but we’ve got people on the decks who are working very hard to make the ship go in the right way.”

After 18 months out of the game, Hill is relishing this run-in.

He said: “There were challenges I didn’t expect to see but if anyone likes a challenge and can deal with it, it’s me.

“I’ve been unlucky and got done in the play-off final before so I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to be in that area, to be able to handle the pressure, what we call the marathon and there is a certain amount of belief.”