Ebbsfleet’s promotion ambitions will not be derailed by those outside the camp.

Fleet boss Daryl McMahon came out in defence of his squad after they went out of the FA Trophy at Kidderminster last Saturday.

McMahon described it as their worst display during his time at Stonebridge Road but also felt that Kidderminster were the best team Fleet have faced this season.

“I told the players after the game that if we lose one game at Ebbsfleet then it’s like the end of the world,” said McMahon.

“But we’re still a team that has taken an average of two points per game in the last 18 months. There’s not many teams that have done that.

“Me and my team, we can’t control what the outside world think but inside we need to be singing from the same hymn sheet and we are. If people don’t do that in the squad, then they won’t be here for long.

“We need to focus on what we do and be ready for the run-in.”

Fleet will now put all their focus on clawing back the eight-point gap to leaders Maidenhead. McMahon’s men host Chelmsford on Saturday at Stonebridge Road before travelling to Poole the following weekend.

He added: “We’ve got two difficult games coming up, starting with Chelmsford. They’ve got a bigger budget than they’ve had in recent seasons and it’s shown in the squad that they’ve been able to get.

“I saw last week the manager saying he has signed a player who has played in the Champions League. People talk about us spending money but look at other teams."

Fleet trio Dave Winfield (thigh), Mark Phillips (Achilles) and Andy Drury (calf) are all rated 50/50. That means Yado Mambo could be in line to start after missing the Kidderminster defeat as he was cup-tied.

Read the full story in Thursday's Gravesend Messenger.