Daryl McMahon has demanded his Ebbsfleet players raise their game for Saturday’s trip to Hemel Hempstead.

Fleet beat Molesey 4-1 in the FA Trophy last weekend but boss McMahon was critical of the performance against a team who play two divisions lower.

Still unbeaten on the road in all competitions, McMahon’s side could go 10 points clear at the top of National League South with victory at Hemel – and the message to his squad is clear.

He said: "I want to see the polar opposite of what we saw on Saturday. It’s going to be a difficult game against Hemel.

"We’re eight wins and a draw away from home so it’s not something where we’re lacking confidence but that was a real smack in the face considering what we’ve done this season."

So does McMahon expect those players to step it up?

He said: "They haven’t got a choice, they have to. There were terrific players in tracksuits who didn’t even get changed on Saturday so if I have to change it, I will."

Hemel, who this week signed former Maidstone captain Steve Watt, have made a mixed start to their second season at this level.

Dean Brennan’s side have lost their last three home league games but recently won 6-2 at fifth-placed Gosport.

McMahon said: "They’ll be working hard and they’ve got some experience in their side – Terrell Forbes, Jamie Slabber, Matthew Spring in midfield and Oliver Hawkins who’s a big target man and an absolute handful.

"It’s a tough place to go, their pitch isn’t great.

"Deano’s a good manager, I know him well, he’s a fellow Dubliner and it’ll be a tough game."