Ebbsfleet United boss Kevin Watson will urge his players to take the handbrake off at Hartlepool this Saturday.

The Fleet missed a golden chance to put pressure on the teams above them by losing at home to Stockport last weekend.

Watson knows games are running out if they are to steer clear of the bottom four in the National League.

“Teams who are at the bottom don’t want to go away from home but like we said at Maidenhead the time for being cautious and nick draws here and there has gone,” said Watson, who wants his team to replicate the impressive display they put in during their last away match at Maidenhead.

“You’re best off winning a game and losing one if you see what I mean. We’ve had too many draws, especially from winning positions.

“You’ve got take the handbrake off, if we get one goal in front then don’t sit on it, try and get another one.

“You’ve seen what we can produce at Maidenhead in the first half which was very good. But I guess we are where we are because it doesn’t happen on a consistent basis.”

Ebbsfleet will hope to have midfielder Frankie Sutherland fit again after he missed the Stockport defeat due to a groin injury.

Keeper David Gregory remains sidelined and Watson backed current custodian Jordan Holmes for two accomplished displays.

“David’s got a little bit of mobility back,” said the Fleet boss. “He can turn his torso halfway round now but he’s still stiff and sore so we’ll just have to see how that progresses.

“I’m pleased with how Jordan’s performed. It’s important we don’t class us as having a number one, two and three keeper.

“I’ve always said possession is nine tenths of the law, it’s Jordan’s position to lose now, it’s as simple as that.”

• Match report: Ebbsfleet 0 Stockport 1
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