Ebbsfleet manager Steve Brown praised the quality of his squad after they recorded a tight 1-0 victory over Havant & Waterlooville at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

In a match low on talking points, Daryl McMahon’s superb long-range strike proved the difference between the two sides.

It was McMahon’s second goal in a week after he also opened the scoring against Concord on Tuesday night, leaving Brown to purr over the amount of potential in his squad.

He said: “We’ve got a few players who can unlock oppositions, such as Matt Godden, Charlie Sheringham and Anthony Cook.

“So we’ve got a threat in quite a few places, but today it was Daryl McMahon and on Tuesday it was him, too.

“On another day it might be someone different, but the reason we bring these players in is so we can have five or six match winners across a tight game.”

Brown added: “Generally, more often than not I don’t think people give this league enough credit for how tough it is – people think two or three teams are the strongest and will walk it but I think we’re a bit more streetwise than that.

“Tuesday night’s game was a very tough game against a tough opponent that’s probably one of the only sides that outwork us.

“And today, as tight of the game was, I felt we were in control.

“Then you’re hoping you can manufacture a goal that will give you the win and we did that today, which was pleasing.”

Brown revealed he was pleased Ebbsfleet had upped their game against Havant since the opener.

“They’re a good side, Havant,” the boss explained.

“Last year we failed to score against them, so it’s pleasing.

“On Tuesday night we won 2-0 and I wasn’t entirely happy with the performance, but today I thought we were much better.

“I can’t remember Havant causing Preston too many problems in our goal and I thought in the second half we were very controlled.

“Once we got the goal, which forces your opponent to play a bit more expansive, we picked them off very well and created enough opportunities to win by more than one.”

Brown also reserved praise for McMahon’s high quality strike which ultimately settled the encounter in Fleet’s favour.

The boss said: “The goal was a wonderful goal, well worthy of winning the game.

“When Daryl’s on form he’s a delight to watch.

“It wasn’t just the finish, though, as Matt Godden got up against a guy that was 6ft4in and headed it past him to Charlie Sheringham, who had taken up a great position and showed great control to flick it to Daryl who had timed his run brilliantly.

“I don’t know the distance but I bet it was 25-yards, maybe a bit more.

“His goal record in the last 12 games of last season and the beginning of this season has been incredible.”

McMahon was substituted with an ankle injury towards the end of the game, but Brown is confident he will feature at Whitehawk on Saturday.

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