Jay Saunders felt his Tonbridge team showed champions-elect Ebbsfleet too much respect in the first half on Saturday.

Tonbridge improved after the break to take a point in National League South thanks to Scott Wagstaff’s late equaliser.

“I felt that in the first half we showed them too much respect and sat off too much,” said Saunders, who has guided Angels to within a point of the play-off places.

“It wasn’t our intention. We spoke about it at half-time, we wanted to get after them. They’re a good side and are going to win the league comfortably, it was just disappointing for me that we didn’t get after them a bit more.

“I felt you saw second half when we played with a bit better tempo, and looked after the ball better, we pulled them apart a bit. Did we cause loads of problems? I’m not sure.

“But if you’re really looking at it, they’ve scored the first goal from us giving the ball away. Other than that, Jonny Henly’s not really had a save to make in the first half.

“I was pleased with our shape and then second half they had that one good chance, again from us giving the ball away, and after that I thought we grew into the game and got more confident.

“If I’m honest with you, I felt we could nick in. I’m pleased with the response second half. On the ball we gave it away too cheaply first half, I felt we could improve and the lads did that.”

Wagstaff got on the scoresheet but Saunders was impressed with the former Charlton and Bristol City midfielder’s overall game.

“I thought Waggy was outstanding,” added the Tonbridge boss. “We’ve got a lad who’s played 3-400 league games and he’s still young and fit. He’s got as much legs as anyone on the pitch.

“He’s great for us, he’s great in the changing room and to have around it, I’m delighted for him because I can’t see him scoring from more than two yards out with his shooting!

“He’s a great lad. There were some good performances all over the pitch but I felt he stood out. He gets enough stick off the boys, they give him stick about his shots, he had one at Bath I remember.

“When you play Ebbsfleet, who are a very good side and are going to win the league comfortably, you have to do a lot of work with the ball and without the ball. The lads have done that all over the pitch.

“We had that spell for half-hour in the second half when we were well on top, people might see it different but I thought that was the case.”

• Report: Tonbridge 1-1 Ebbsfleet

It means Tonbridge have taken four points off Ebbsfleet this season in the league. So what’s the secret?

“I’m just lucky against Ebbsfleet,” smiled Saunders. “I’ve played them six or seven times as a manager and only lost once so it’s just one of them.

“Away from home we put on a really good defensive display and scored at the right times. Today, we are a stronger squad than when we went down there. I take nothing away from them. They’ve got lots of good players, you have to try and limit their chances and, for large parts, we did that.

“They’ll go on and win the league and I’m sure under Dennis they’ll have another good season next year.

“It’s an old club of mine so I’m pleased they’re doing well and that they’re going to go up. They’ve been trying to do that for a few years now.”