No-one expected Yado Mambo to be playing games in August - least of all the man himself.

Mambo signed a new deal at Ebbsfleet in the summer but began the season as back-up to first choice centre-halves Dave Winfield and Kenny Clark.

However, a serious knee injury has ruled club captain Winfield out for up to six months while Clark has missed Fleet's last two National League games with a hamstring problem.

Manager Daryl McMahon isn't prepared to risk making Clark's injury worse with Winfield already out long-term so Mambo has stepped in alongside Sam Magri in central defence.

The pair started at Dagenham on Tuesday night, a game which finished 3-3, and looked more solid at Maidenhead on Saturday as unbeaten Fleet came from a goal down to draw 1-1.

Mambo and Magri kept the prolific Dave Tarpey so quiet he was taken off with 15 minutes go and the pair gave as good as they got against burly Magpies centre-forward Sean Marks.

"It was a great battle," Mambo said. "Marks is obviously good in the air and Tarpey’s on fire so we knew we had to concentrate, play our game, win our headers, get first contact and win second balls. I thought we did that.

"It was a scrappy game, it was always going to be a fight and we adjusted and got the job done.

"You’ve got to stay focused. It’s a big man-little man combination and there’s always the aerial threat with the flick-ons for Tarpey to get in behind.

"We knew we had to get the first contact from goal kicks, free-kicks, everything, because we know Marks is a big threat and I thought me and Mags did that really well.

"It’s a shame we couldn’t get the winner but I reckon it’s a good point in the end."

Mambo, who left Margate in November 2016, returned to Stonebridge Road for a third spell but had very little playing time as Fleet finished second in National League South before winning the play-offs.

But he played his part in the final after coming on for the last seven minutes and is now relishing his opportunity back in the starting XI.

"It’s been ages," he said. "I saw a fact the other day - my last 90 minutes (before this season) was December 3 against Oxford City away. When I think about it, it does feel a long time ago.

"But I’ve been prepared. I’ve trained really hard every day to stay ready.

"I didn’t think I’d get my chance this early because big Dave’s out with his knee and Clarky with his hamstring but I’ve been ready and I think I’ve done really well since I’ve come back.

"I was a bit as rusty as you’ll understand where I haven’t played for nine months but the more games I play, the better I’ll get. I’m just happy to be playing again."

McMahon praised his centre-halves for their performance at York Road.

He said: "I thought Yads was excellent - and Mags. Both of them, in the second half, were absolutely outstanding.

"In the second halves of the last two games, both of them have been outstanding. They’re capable.

"We signed Yads in November on a Friday, he went straight into the team against Oxford City away on the Saturday and hasn’t played a league game since - until Tuesday night at Dagenham, who were on fire at the time.

"He’s had nothing, he’s just had pre-season and he’s shown good character.

"He’s a decent player, we know he is, and Mags has done really well for us wherever we’ve put him."