Daryl McMahon admitted Ebbsfleet United no longer hold the cards in the National League South promotion race after being held to a 1-1 derby day draw with Dartford on Monday.

A drab first-half at Stonebridge Road was lit up on 37 minutes when Matt Godden cut inside and fired past Deren Ibrahim to give the Fleet the lead.

But the hosts were pegged back when Ryan Hayes followed up a rebound to his own shot to equalise after the break.

The league leaders went close at the death when Danny Kedwell hit the post but for Fleet this was an opportunity wasted after title rivals Maidstone United and Sutton United both dropped points.

McMahon criticised his side's lack of fluency after the game: “I thought we were patchy. I do not think we were very fluent today.

"I thought we looked a little bit jittery at times as well. We still created a number of chances, especially late on.

"Kedwell hit the post and probably should have had a penalty when he was dragged down to the floor, but it was not fluent enough for us today.

"It was one of those games. It was windy, it was horrible, it was a local derby and I thought that it just did not fall for us."

The Ebbsfleet manager was impressed, however, with the performance of his goalscorer Matt Godden.

He said: "It is a terrific goal. He is an excellent player and his movement was good. You know when he gets into the box and he has got a one v one, he is going to get a shot away.

"It was a terrific finish. I am delighted for Matt."

McMahon admitted that his side must find improvement if they are to secure promotion.

"I do not think we did quite enough today if I am being honest. We cannot sit there and complain and say we deserved the three points because we did not,” he added.

"We had enough chances to win it but we did not deserve it. You have got to play well.

"It is getting to the stage of the season where you have got to play well and be a good decision maker and you have got to be able to handle that in the run-in."

With Fleet failing to capitalise on title rivals Maidstone United and Sutton United dropping points, the title race is no longer in their hands.

MaMahon said: "It is what it is. There is nothing we can do about it.

“I feel that we could have picked up more points, without a doubt. But going into the last few games, we will see what happens.

"I think it is firmly in Sutton's hands but to be honest the pressure is on them now. We are still top.

“They have to go and win the games to make the points up. I am sure they will fancy doing that but they have to go and do it.

“It is the first time that we are not in control to win the league and the pressure is firmly on Sutton."

Ebbsfleet will look to get back to winning ways with a trip to Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.