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Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon on the 2-0 win against FC Halifax Town

Daryl McMahon was full of praise for his Ebbsfleet players after they beat Halifax on Saturday.

Fleet climbed to 12th in the National League with a 2-0 win which followed their 1-0 success at Boreham Wood seven days earlier.

It's now three clean sheets in a row for McMahon's side, who have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Ebbsfleet are hoping to knock Doncaster out of the FA Cup Picture: Andy Payton
Ebbsfleet are hoping to knock Doncaster out of the FA Cup Picture: Andy Payton

He said: "I’m pleased for the players because they work so hard day to day at training and they’re finally now putting in performances and getting the wins I believe they deserve.

"We were definitely better in both boxes and we have been for the last three games, taking Tranmere into that as well. They’re three tough games, especially when you haven’t been winning, they look even harder sometimes.

"We’ve rolled our sleeves up and put in three very good performances - probably the best one today."

Sean Shields came off the bench to score both goals at Stonebridge Road.

McMahon said: "He’s been out injured but I had a feeling… He had a great week in training, been outstanding, looked sharp and bright and I thought he brought that onto the pitch. He was excellent.

"They were two good finishes and we want more goals from him. Over the period of time here, he’s threatened to get goals and hasn’t quite (got them).

"He’s got to build on that performance. Without doubt he can play at this level and higher in terms of ability but mentally and physically, he’s got to take that performance on and become a big player - because he can."

Dean Rance has played with and for Daryl McMahon since 2012 Picture: Andy Payton
Dean Rance has played with and for Daryl McMahon since 2012 Picture: Andy Payton

Fleet looked slick going forward and could have scored more than two although McMahon was equally happy to keep the opposition out for a third game running.

He said: "If you can’t keep clean sheets, more often than not you can’t win games of football. As much as you’ve got to be able to score goals, you’ve got to be able to stop goals going in your net so you can win 1-0 and you still get three points.

"As much as I’m probably an attacking coach and we’ve got a lot of attacking players here, and I was an attacking player, I understand the key to being able to keep clean sheets.

"We’ve got a good goalie and a good back four and Dean Rance does a good job in front of that as well.

"I thought Deano was superb. If Sean didn’t get two goals, Dean probably would have got man-of-the-match.

"He defended well, got in front of Denton, their big man, from set-pieces to make it awkward for him to let us leave the back four at home. He won many tackles and put out many fires.

"He’s a good player and he was excellent."

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