Striker Danny Kedwell silenced his critics last Saturday – and then gave Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon the credit.

Kedwell scored twice in the 3-0 win at Whitehawk to take his tally to just eight goals for the season.

His lack of firepower has been the subject of much discussion at Stonebridge Road and the 33-year-old revealed he has been told to be more selfish by McMahon.

“The gaffer pulled me a few weeks ago and said that I do so much hard work for the team but he needs me to get in the box more,” said Kedwell. “Every time I got it at Whitehawk, I ran into the box after and was able to score twice.

“Sometimes I’m crossing more and do too much of that. I’m so unselfish I can’t just let a player run past me, I can’t let that happen.

“I’m trying to run out wide for players and when you do that you are not going to get the goals.

“I know he praised me (earlier in the season) when I wasn’t getting goals but the manager sees that I’m not getting as many as I have (in previous years). He said to make sure you are in the box and it paid off.”

McMahon has repeatedly gone on record to praise Kedwell’s industry and unselfish work for the team.

Kedwell went 14 games earlier this season without finding the target and he is hoping he has found his scoring form at just the right time.

“It was a nice feeling last Saturday,” added Kedwell. “I haven’t got as many goals as I’d like but I’m not bothered as long as we get promoted.

“Through the years you have to change your game a bit more. When I was younger I was in behind all the time, now I’m not that kind of player.

“You aren’t going to win games as individuals, you win as a team, that’s how we are playing – as a team – and we’re getting our rewards.

“It plays in your head, especially forwards, because you go through that stage where you get on a bad run. To get two goals has given me a lift and hopefully gets me on a run now.

“This is the most important time of the year. Last year I got 10 in 10 before Christmas and at the end I was chipping in here and there.

“Hopefully, all of my goals will be at this time of year this season as I only had four (league) goals before Christmas.

“Last year I got the most assists in the team (over 20) and I’m on 14 this year. If I’m not scoring, then I’m assisting.”

Read the full interview in Thursday's Gravesend Messenger