Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon praised the adaptability of his players after their six-goal blast last weekend.

The Fleet overcame the loss of the suspended Dean Rance by pairing attack-minded Jack Powell and Andy Drury in midfield against East Thurrock.

Both players scored and their dominant display gave an added dimension to the Fleet’s forward play.

“Anyone can play together if they’re willing to,” said McMahon. “People try and pull players apart by saying they are similar but they can balance off each other.

“When one went forward, the other dropped in, it’s not natural for them to do but they did it for the team.

“Powell and Drury as a combination are quite similar as players but they moved the ball well and combined well together. Their vision is good, that’s their biggest skill set.”

McMahon refused to discuss whether the goals could prove crucial by the end of the season having only led the table on alphabetical order from Maidenhead before last weekend.

Instead, his focus was immediately on the Fleet’s trip to St Albans on Saturday, when McMahon believes they will need to show the determined side of their character again.

“Games like East Thurrock are just as important as the 1-0 win at Bath last week when they put you under pressure and you have to show a bit of steel,” added the Fleet boss.

“You’ve got to be able to do both sides and at the moment we are."

Read the full interview in Thursday's Gravesend Messenger.