Daryl McMahon had to look away when Ebbsfleet conceded a penalty in the 89th minute on Tuesday night.

With his side leading 1-0 against Sutton, McMahon saw referee Chris Pollard award the visitors a late spot-kick when Kevin Amankwaah went down under John Paul Kissock's challenge.

But he didn't see what happened next as Craig Dundas had his effort saved by Brandon Hall to earn the Fleet an eighth win in nine games, sending them four points clear at the top of Vanarama National League South.

McMahon said: "I didn’t watch the pen, to be honest. I never watched pens even as a player.

"Gritty (Steve Gritt) trawls the internet for every single player in their squad for whoever was going to take the penalty. We normally have a good thing about anyone who takes penalties in their squad because we’ve seen them do it on YouTube.

"We were prepared for it and Brandon’s made another save from a penalty."

Ebbsfleet came under heavy pressure late on but they held firm to record a sixth clean sheet in nine games, keeping one of their promotion rivals at arm's length in the process.

McMahon said: "They’re going to be up near the top of the league. I said at the start of the season they’re a good side.

"They’ve got some very good players, they’re direct, they’re a big side compared to us which they tried to use to their advantage but I thought our defending was outstanding - from the whole team, not just the back four.

"Losing Rancey (Dean Rance) as well, who’s a defensive player, Stuart Lewis did that job and he was fantastic. He covered every blade of grass and he was so disciplined in the role as well. Kenny Clark again, for me, was outstanding.

"I thought we were the better team in the first half. We tested their goalkeeper a lot and they didn’t really test Brandon, apart from the penalty. They had a couple of crosses but it wasn’t anything for Brandon to save.

"We tested their goalkeeper a lot more, especially in the first half, so I thought we were value for it in the first half.

"I’m delighted with Jordan Parkes, to get another goal. It was a fantastic finish, he arrives late, so well, all the time and it’s a great finish."

Parkes has now scored seven goals in nine games since giving up the Hemel Hempstead captaincy to sign for Ebbsfleet in the summer.

McMahon said: "We knew we were getting a very good player when he came here and, at the minute, he’s excelling.

"Seven in nine is outstanding and the job for him now is to try, if he can, to continue it for the season, which is difficult.

"Why it is so good is that everyone knows he scores goals. He scores so many different goals and he’s so bright at reading situations on the pitch. If you try and track him to the edge of the box, his movement’s clever to get in the six-yard box for a tap-in.

"He’s just a bright player."

Ebbsfleet visit Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday, looking to extend their unbeaten run into double-figures.