Ebbsfleet are hoping to strike it fourth time lucky in front of a bumper crowd at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Daryl McMahon’s league leaders face a Chelmsford side they’ve yet to beat in three attempts this season on what is the club’s annual community day.

Chelmsford took the Fleet to an FA Cup replay and knocked them out in September before the sides played out a 0-0 draw in the league four weeks later.

McMahon said: "We were outstanding that day. Footballing-wise, it was one of our best performances of the season. In the FA Cup game we did everything but score.

"They’re a different side now to when we played them before, they’ve made some changes and got in Jack Bridge and Jason Williams from Southend.

"I know (interim manager) Kevin Maher particularly well and I know Mark Hughes, the captain, we played together before. I know a lot of their players, including (former Fleet striker) Billy Bricknell.

"I’m sure they’ll come and give us a good game."

Ebbsfleet have distributed free tickets to local schools and could welcome a crowd of more than 2,000 for the fourth time this season.

Fairground rides, community stalls and a guest band will all add to the atmosphere but that’s all peripheral for McMahon.

He said: "I try to focus on the job. I’m not too interested in all the stuff that goes on away from the pitch. The most important thing is the 90 minutes on the pitch."

Second-placed Sutton are now just three points behind Fleet with two games in hand after winning 2-1 at Maidstone on Tuesday night.

However, the U's have been charged with fielding an ineligible player and that could see them docked points by the National League.