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Ebbsfleet United visit Tranmere Rovers in National League play-off semi-final

Manager Daryl McMahon says Ebbsfleet's play-off semi-final at Tranmere on Saturday is the biggest game in the club's history.

Fleet have never played in the Football League but they'll be just 90 minutes away if they can upset Rovers at Prenton Park.

Ten years on from their FA Trophy triumph at Wembley, supporters are dreaming of an even more significant appearance at the national stadium.

It's already been a memorable first season back in the National League for Ebbsfleet Picture: Andy Payton
It's already been a memorable first season back in the National League for Ebbsfleet Picture: Andy Payton

McMahon said: "I know the club’s won the FA Trophy before with Liam Daish but in terms of a league campaign, it’s the biggest game the club’s ever had and the players have got the opportunity to make history for themselves.

"The majority of these players were in Conference South last year, playing for us, and you can the real togetherness they’ve built over two years, some of them three years."

Ebbsfleet had to play extra time at Aldershot on Wednesday before winning on penalties while Tranmere, courtesy of finishing second in the National League, haven't had a game since Saturday.

They finished eight points above Fleet and should certainly be fresh but McMahon said: "I'm sure we'll be fine.

"We're a fit bunch and I thought we were the fitter team on Wednesday.

"As the game went on, we got stronger, particularly in the 90 minutes and to score right at the death showed mental and physical fitness."

Ebbsfleet are unbeaten in their last eight away games. Their last defeat came more than three months ago - at Tranmere.

But McMahon said: "We're a massively different team today than we were then. If I look back to the starting line-up in that game, we had no Powell, no Drury, no Whitely and no Clark, so we're a totally different side.

"From that day to now, the belief and confidence this group has is high.

"But we know it's going to be a tough game. We know the first 15-20 minutes at Tranmere you've got to be strong.

"They'll probably have 15,000 fans baying for blood straight away and we've got to go into that arena and be able to handle that and try to turn it round.

"We're going to be underdogs. Tranmere have been excellent this year, they've got the best home form in the division but we don't really care.

"It's a one-off game, 90 minutes and the pressure's on Tranmere, not us. We can go there and relax, enjoy it and play our football and try to get a win."

Saturday's game kicks off at 12.15pm.

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