Daryl McMahon praised Ebbsfleet for their bravery in the 6-0 win over Hemel Hempstead.

He wasn't talking about flying into tackles or standing up to the opposition physically but rather the Fleet's determination to stick by their philosophy at the sharp end of the season.

McMahon's side are seven points clear at the top of National League South but they came into this game having won just one of their previous six.

Title rivals Maidstone and Sutton both have games in hand but there was no panic in Ebbsfleet's play at Stonebridge Road.

Danny Kedwell had them 1-0 in front at half-time and the home side went goal crazy after the interval, doubling their lead before netting four more times in 11 mad minutes.

McMahon said: "I do enjoy (the goals) for a couple of seconds but then I get ready for the restart of the game. I was more impressed with the performance.

"It’s important, at this time of the season, that you’ve got the bravery to go out and play properly, to get on the ball and pass it and not go hiding.

"I think you saw a performance full of guts and courage from us.

"We’ve played probably even better than that this season but haven’t got the goals.

"It’s more eye-catching because of the goals. It was a terrific performance and a lot of people will say it’s under pressure and all the rest of it but we don’t see it quite like that.

"I’m not going to get carried away, the same way I don’t if we draw or lose. It’s just one game, we’ve got three points, played really well and we look to the next game against Weston."

McMahon reserved particular praise for his strikers, Danny Kedwell and Charlie Sheringham.

Kedwell captained Ebbsfleet in the absence of Tom Bonner (suspended) and was named man-of-the-match, while Sheringham impressed on only his second league start of the campaign and set up two goals.

McMahon said: "To be honest, (Charlie) probably deserved a go a little bit sooner than he has. He’s been training really well for two or three months.

"He’s had little bits and bobs in terms of getting onto the pitch and he fully deserved his start. He was outstanding, he really was.

"He’s a terrific footballer. He hasn’t had the minutes with us that he probably deserves because of the form of the other three (strikers). He led the line brilliantly, linked the play well, created some goals and he’s a top professional. He trains properly every day.

"There’s probably nobody better in non-league than Danny Kedwell at what he does. He is the talisman for the team, he’s got terrific ability, he’s a man, he leads the line well, he’s an organiser and a terrific player."