Ebbsfleet boss Garry Hill questioned the referee over his decision to send off Andy Drury after the final whistle on Saturday.

Andrew Miller showed Drury a straight red card after the midfielder confronted him at full-time.

Fleet had just lost 1-0 at home to Salford and their frustration was compounded by Drury's dismissal.

Report: Ebbsfleet United 0 Salford City 1

Hill said: "The referee said he sent him off for foul and abusive language but I was three yards from him and there's no way Andy Drury was abusing him or swearing.

"He was trying to state to him about head injuries and inconsistency but no way did I hear (foul and abusive language). I don't know where the referee's got that situation from.

"I was three yards from Andy Drury and I didn't hear anything but I'm sure the referee and his assistants will have a cup of tea together and they'll come up with some story which I'm sure will hold up."

Ebbsfleet already have two players suspended so another for Drury comes at the worst possible time.

Hill admitted: "Our discipline has come into question over the season and it hasn't helped us.

"But I will always be honest and I was three yards from Andy Drury, just behind him on the left-hand side of him and I didn't hear him swear at the referee.

"I heard him having a go at him, saying 'ref, you're missing head injuries, you're missing this and that and consistency all afternoon' and I said to the referee 'he's not sworn at you, ref, because I've been standing just behind him.'

"The referee still didn't say anything but they'll go in there and they'll have a little chat, a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits and we'll see where they all are."

Ebbsfleet are now six points from the National League play-offs after failing to score for the fifth time in six games.

Hill said: "It didn't happen today, by our standards and the way we have been playing over a period of time.

"I was disappointed with our performance all round because I don't think we did enough.

"I don't think it was a lack of effort or commitment but we didn't ask enough questions.

"We looked like a side low on confidence and they were probably very similar. Over the 90 minutes, I have no complaints with the result.

"We've lost our way going forward at home. We're not creating enough chances, whether that's down to personnel missing, a lack of bodies.

"The players have always done very well for me and I'm not doubting the commitment in any way or form but we didn't have the spark there today in the final third.

"We looked short but I'm not going to turn round and take away from the players over a period of time because they've done very well to get where they've got.

"The bodies aren't helping us, being short, but we have to keep getting on with that."