NEIL Barrett says he didn’t know he had scored at Stevenage until Paul McCarthy told him 10 minutes later in the Fleet dressing room.

Ebbsfleet were 2-0 down when Barrett halved the deficit, although the player paid a heavy price for his efforts by sustaining a fractured jaw and depressed cheekbone in the process.

His double injury blow has already ruled him out for this Saturday’s semi-final second leg and the remainder of the campaign, but if Ebbsfleet do reach Wembley again they know Barrett’s bravery will have played a crucial part.

He said: “All I can remember is being stretchered off, I didn’t even know I had scored.

“It wasn’t until we got back in the dressing room that Paul told me the news.

“We then got it back to 2-2, so it was slightly disappointing to hear we had conceded a late winner.

“However, there is only one goal in it and we know with the ability we have in our squad that we are capable of turning it around this weekend.”

Barrett had a successful operation on Sunday evening and was only released from hospital last night.

Despite this, he still plans to be at Stonebridge Road this Saturday for the crucial second encounter with Stevenage.

Barrett added: “The operation went very well and I’m planning to be there.

“To reach the final last year was a magnificent achievement, but to do it two years in a row would be unbelievable.

“Obviously I will not be involved if we make it to Wembley because I won’t have recovered for a good three months.

“It is definitely one of the most bizarre injuries I’ve ever had but it is difficult for me to say if it is the worst because I had an ankle problem which kept me out for nine months.”