Sam Magri says Ebbsfleet's players have been lifted by the supporters since news of their late wage payments was made public.

Fleet boss Daryl McMahon confirmed on Wednesday that his squad would be paid eight days late this month.

It's not the first time it's happened but the players have kept quiet on the subject until now.

And they responded on Saturday by producing their best performance of the season to earn a 1-1 draw at leaders Salford.

"Everyone should be proud of themselves," Magri said. "It's been a tough week and everything's come out in the press but everyone respects the gaffer and each other.

"No-one's known what we've been going through for so long and to see on social media the fans backing us, it's a good feeling to know they're behind us.

"Obviously you tell your family because they've got to know. It's been tough. You have to start moving bills around and paying things late sometimes.

"Everyone's in a different financial situation so it's different for everyone.

"If you worked in an office job and were told you weren't getting paid, you wouldn't work.

"But it paints a good picture of every individual in our playing staff and the management team that we still want to do it for each other, for the gaffer and for the fans and the club."

In the midst of a stressful fortnight, Magri became a father last Monday when his wife Ellie gave birth to their son Nico.

"It's the best feeling in the world but one you can't explain," he said.

"The way it's gone this week, it could have been a lot worse but I've got my missus and my little boy to go home to so it makes everything a lot better.

"Every man, no matter who you are or what job you do, wants to provide for his family.

"Even though we are, at the moment we're not, so everyone has to keep digging in and we'll see what happens."

With the trip to Salford looming, it was just as well Magri managed to get some sleep.

He said: "The first couple of nights I didn't even wake up, it was my missus. The third night he was up once and that was it.

"I wasn't in Monday and she was allowed home Tuesday so I had Tuesday off.

"I only trained once this week so it was a tough game on Saturday but we could have won.

"It was a good game, end to end, both teams had chances and to come out with a draw, it's a good point for us.

"It's our job to defend so it's normal for us but when you do it like that, it's a great feeling."

Ebbsfleet remain 17th in the National League ahead of Tuesday's derby clash with Maidstone at Stonebridge Road.

Magri said: "Even with all of this going on, we haven't played as well as we can or did last year.

"We have in some games but sometimes it's hard to get yourself going when you're not getting paid.

"We've all got to put that to the back of our minds, see what happens and Saturday is the benchmark because every player was brilliant."

Match report: Salford City 1-1 Ebbsfleet United