Bromley manager Mark Goldberg was proud of his players’ efforts as a depleted squad lost 2-1 at home to Kent rivals Ebbsfleet United.

A wonder goal from Matt Godden in the second half proved the winner after a Jamie Slabber header had equalised Adam Cunnington’s opener for Fleet.

Despite the loss, Bromley remain top of the Conference South, one point above Boreham Wood in the only automatic promotion spot but with two games in hand.

“It was obviously disappointing but I thought our players were a credit to Bromley,” said Goldberg.

“Considering we had a depleted squad for the third game in a row it was just one hurdle too many to overcome.”

Bromley missed club captain Rob Swaine through suspension, along with Ben May, Anthony Cook and Pierre Joseph-Dubois, while Louis Dennis made the bench but was unfit to play.

The Ravens had won their previous two games away to Chelmsford and Sutton with key personnel absent.

And Goldberg felt they might well have got another positive result against Fleet had a few more first team regulars returned in time.

He said: “We’ve relied this season on having a much stronger selection from the bench than we’ve ever had before and that’s why we’re in the position we’re in.

“We conceded an outstanding goal against the run of play on Saturday, but with a full squad we might well have got a draw out of it, if not even a win.

“Our decision making was affected.

“We were launching the ball too much and with players like Louis, Anthony and Pierre we would have done that less.

“If they’d been available we’d have played it to Bradley Goldberg’s feet more.

“We weren’t playing to the strengths of Bradley on Saturday and we need to do that more.”

The Ravens travel to Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday looking to bounce back against a side which still harbours play-off ambitions.

Goldberg said: “We know it’s going to be a very difficult task.

“But if we want to be playing against Premier opposition next year then we’ve got to be capable of going to Hemel Hempstead and believing we can get a result.

“The bottom line is we can’t make excuses, we have to go and deliver on Saturday.”

Ebbsfleet manager Jamie Day said after the match he hopes Bromley win the league, but Goldberg was cautious with nine games remaining.

“I appreciate Jamie’s words but we’ve got a job to do and we haven’t achieved anything yet this season,” said the Hayes Lane gaffer.

“We have the squad on paper to get us over the line, and if they’re all fit then I believe we have the best chance we’ve had while I’ve been manager to get promoted.

“We do need a bit of good fortune in terms of players being available – and then we’ve got to work hard.”

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