Daryl McMahon spoke of his pride after Ebbsfleet's play-off defeat at Tranmere on Saturday.

Fleet led twice but lost 4-2 after extra time as Rovers booked their place in the National League promotion final at Wembley.

But the visitors were applauded off the pitch at Prenton Park by thousands of home supporters.

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McMahon said: "I’m proud that my team’s come to Tranmere, taken them all the way and in the end they get clapped off.

"It’s a nice way to end the season in the sense that we’re at Tranmere, the biggest club in the division along with Leyton Orient and their 9,000 fans are clapping us off. That’s a great credit to the players.

"I’m very proud of the players and their performance - for the whole game. It was in difficult circumstances in the sense that we played extra time (at Aldershot) on Wednesday night.

"To come here and take Tranmere all the way was huge and I'm filled with pride.

"We frustrated their crowd and frustrated their players a little bit as well. In terms of the game plan, we followed it really well and just ran out of steam.

"There was nothing we could do about that after the tough week and tough month we’ve had. But I’m fiercely proud of the players."

Ebbsfleet finished with 10 men after captain Dave Winfield was sent off moments after Tranmere had scored their fourth goal.

He saw red for retaliating to a late Jay Harris tackle, although McMahon insisted there was more to it than that.

"Their lad bit Dave," he said. "He’s got a bite mark on his arm and he reacted not in the way he would like to have done.

"In the emotion of the game, he probably got carried away but how good has Dave Winfield been? He’s been incredible for us so we’ll allow him that one."

Fleet coach Aaron McLean and a member of Tranmere's backroom staff were also given their marching orders following a bust-up by the dugouts as Winfield walked off.

McMahon said: "I think we behave the right way as a football club all the time. It’s something that’s important for me but in that minute it got a little bit crazy.

"It wasn’t just our fault, by the way, their was another team involved in that as well. We were just protecting each other."

In the final three weeks of their season Ebbsfleet travelled to Barrow, Eastleigh, Gateshead and Torquay before the back-to-back play-off matches at Aldershot and Tranmere.

McMahon said: "I can't put it into words, unless you're inside it and see what they've gone through and the aches and pains.

"We didn't train Thursday or Friday because of that.

"We've been in ice chambers and on bikes, anything but touching the football, trying to save energy for today.

"They've been brilliant; their belief and togetherness and quality is excellent."

He added: "I wish Micky Mellon and Tranmere all the best for next Saturday.

"If you look at this football club, it shouldn't be in the National League. It's a great football club.