Ebbsfleet chairman Duncan Holt has brushed off Fleet’s early exits from cup competitions this season and said cup runs were not vital to securing the club’s future.

Fleet bowed out of the FA Trophy in the first round at Blue Square Premier high-fliers and holders Stevenage on Saturday mirroring their fourth qualifying round exit against Bromley in the FA Cup.

However, Mr Holt said the absence of gate receipts and potential prize money will not hit the cash-strapped club.

He said: "Obviously it is not a good thing to have been knocked out of all the cup competitions so early.

"Every club wants a good run because it can help financially and the form on the pitch.

"But we would never include potential cup money in the budget – we’d be mad to. Any cup returns would always be a bonus."

Mr Holt also bemoaned Fleet’s luck in the draw, saying: "Stevenage was not a kind draw for us. There were 14 teams we could have drawn that play at a lower level than us, so to get Stevenage, and for it to be away, it was the toughest draw we could have had."

Fleet look to get back on track in the Blue Square Premier on Saturday with a home clash against Histon, who have not played for a fortnight after their FA Trophy clash at Maidstone was twice postponed.

Stefan Bailey could return after missing Fleet’s last two games with a bout of tonsilitis.