Lee Martin says football’s boo-boys won’t dent his self-belief after enjoying his finest hour in an Ebbsfleet shirt.

Martin scored the extra-time winner against Chippenham to set up a winner-takes-all trip to Dorking Wanderers this Saturday.

But it’s not always been plain sailing for the former Manchester United and Gillingham man, who has come in for stick from some Fleet fans during the course of the season.

There’s been reasons, of course. There’s been a lack of form by his own admission but Martin’s back story also involves rushing back from an ankle injury months ahead of schedule, a major factor behind his perceived performance levels.

It was the same ankle he fractured and dislocated at the age of 29 when playing for Gillingham. But rather than take his time to come back into the fold, Martin pushed himself to the front of manager Dennis Kutrieb's options.

“The one thing for me is that I never doubt what I am capable of or where I’ve come from,” said Martin, who was injured in the FA Cup defeat at Leyton Orient.

“At 35, obviously things slow down but the quality still remains and I back myself any time.

“I made a concerted effort to come back when I did, against the run of time really.

“I wanted to put myself there on the forefront because I wanted to help my team-mates and I hate being injured.

“Obviously, that’s a mini regret as the fans didn’t see the best of me but as Dom Poleon always says, the cream always rises.

“I’ll always back myself that’s just an individual belief and many experiences tell me that.

“Listen, it was a tricky time and criticism is never nice, no-one responds well to criticism.”

It’s not something that can be easily ignored, especially in non-league football where fans are that much closer to the action - and they mingle afterwards with players in the bar.

Supporters have backed Martin and his team-mates but the Fleet forward believes there’s been times when some fans have overstepped the mark.

That said, the support Ebbsfleet received in their National League South play-off semi-final was tremendous.

“Of course you hear it, at Folkestone away I got a bit of gyp and we had a chat in (the bar) with a couple of fans about that,” disclosed Martin.

“It’s part and parcel of the game but, ultimately, I’m human like the next person shouting out that stuff. It’s not going to benefit me.

“I read a quote once that nobody responds well, not one person benefits from criticism, a kick up the backside yes, but criticism….

“The old thing is fans and supporters, and supporters support. I think that’s key.

“We got that balance on Sunday against Chippenham, to a man we were willing to run for the fans and the fans were behind us all the way and that’s how it should be.

“They might disagree with certain selections and things like that but once a player is on the pitch they should support them and be behind them.

“But that’s easier said than done and during bad times it’s easy to get on people’s backs, I understand that.

“But from my point of view, it’s head down and work hard, and the harder you work the luckier you become.

“It’s tough when you’re not playing because ultimately you are working towards that big thing and that’s a Saturday game.

“When you’re not playing or getting 10 minutes here or there it’s not enjoyable, and as you get older you have to face that.”