Manager Daryl McMahon expects the "real men" in his Ebbsfleet squad to stand up and be counted following their back-to-back defeats.

Fleet’s 1-0 home defeat to Maidstone on Saturday came in the same week as they exited the FA Cup at the hands of Chelmsford.

They are six points clear at the top of Vanarama National League South but, after a near-perfect start to the season, McMahon’s side have wobbled ever so slightly.

He said: "That’s the way it is. I said straight from the off that it’s a long season and we are going to lose games.

"I don’t think people can turn away from the fact that we’ve had a fantastic start in terms of where we’re sitting right now. The points tally we’ve got is excellent and we’ll go again.

"We’ve shown we’re a good side and we’ll bounce back. I’ve got no doubts about that.

"We’ve got real men in the squad. I thought the captain Bonner was outstanding for the whole game on Saturday. He stood up and fought with Jay May all game, which isn’t easy because he’s a good player.

"Clark, Rance, Stuart Lewis, Kedwell, Cunnington, Acheampong, they’re real men and you can count on them."

Ebbsfleet’s early cup exit means they don’t play this weekend and that’s a source of relief for McMahon, whose side have played eight games in 32 days.

"I think the players need a break," he said. "We’ve had a busy schedule with the two Weston games and the FA Cup replay.

"We’ve had a lot of games in this period so it’ll be good for the players to have a little breather, go away and come back refreshed."

Read the full story in the Gravesend Messenger.