Jay Saunders believes Tonbridge have given the rest of National South hope with their victory at Ebbsfleet.

Angels ended the leaders’ unbeaten record with an outstanding 2-1 win at Stonebridge Road last weekend.

They were unfancied, having lost their previous three games, but turned the form book upside down with goals from Ben Swift and Sonny Miles.

“It was a great win for us,” said Angels boss Saunders.

“Where they were unbeaten, everyone was talking like it was a bigger three points but I’d have got as much enjoyment out of beating the bottom of the league.

“I just wanted a win after losing the last three but I suppose what it does is give everyone in the league a boost.

“Ebbsfleet are a very good side but it shows they can be beaten.

“We went there with a game plan and when you’re playing a side as good as they are, you need to be on top of your game.”

Tonbridge, whose win moved them up a place to 10th, host Bracknell in the FA Trophy Second Round this Saturday.

There are familiar faces in the visitors’ dugout with Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg leaving Angels’ FA Cup conquerors Binfield to take charge at the Southern Premier South club.

The pair led Isthmian League Binfield to a 4-0 win over depleted Angels in September’s Second Qualifying Round tie but Saunders believes his side are a different proposition now.

“The FA Cup was one of my biggest disappointments but we had nine players out that day - there wasn’t a lot we could do,” said Saunders.

“The managers know about us but it will be a different squad this time.

“It’ll be a tough game because Bracknell are doing very well and I watched them on TV against Ipswich in the FA Cup.

“The FA Trophy is one of those competitions I’ve never really had that great a run in as a manager.

“A lot of times it’s been because we’ve been going well in the FA Cup or the league.

“It’s a draw you’d want - at home against a team from a lower league - but they’re a very good side and we’ll need to show the same attitude we did at Ebbsfleet.”

Winger TQ Addy has been released but Tonbridge have signed central midfielder Devonte Aransibia from Welling.

He made his debut as a substitute at Ebbsfleet.

Saunders said: “I felt it was really important we got a centre-midfielder in, with the players we’ve got out, and Devonte became available.

"He started the season really well at Chelmsford and Welling took him but it didn’t work out there.

“He’s a lefty, he’s over 6ft, he’s a strong boy and he can play.

“He showed some good touches when he came on.”

Tonbridge are back in league action at seventh-placed Worthing on Tuesday (7.45pm).