Manager Josh Wright insisted his long-awaited first win as Ebbsfleet manager was all about the players.

Wright’s been in charge since December at Stonebridge Road, stepping away from playing to take on his first managerial role.

It was a brave decision at the time given the Fleet’s plight in the National League.

While Wright hasn’t been able to turn the tide in terms of results, their performances have certainly picked up from the first half of a dreadful campaign.

“It's been a difficult start,” admitted Wright, following Saturday’s 1-0 home success over AFC Fylde. “I'm not here to make excuses, but I know what I've done.

“I know what we've done behind the scenes. I know how much improvement there's been.

“Of course, that improvement tells when three points come, another three points come, and it's wins, wins, wins.

“But if we break down the games and we look at some of the points that we've picked up and the way that we've been in games, it was times this season where we just weren't really, for one reason or another, looking like we were competing or could compete.

“All of a sudden now we're an outfit and the results haven't been great, especially in recent weeks, but we had a spell where we really steadied it.

“I know I picked up a very difficult ship, a ship that was struggling, a place that was struggling, and I've done everything that I can and we've done everything that we can.

“It's not for me to deserve, because that's not me. The boys have got what's required. I can only do what I can do along with my staff every single day.

“But I think as a collective, we all deserve that. It's just one win. We have to now build on that.

“We have to try and get more wins from now to the end of the season. How many that will be, we don't know, because we know the situation and where we are. But hopefully we can back that up with some more wins from now to the end of the season.”

Wright admitted the biggest challenge for his squad has been mentally.

They’d recorded just one league win all season before the weekend – and that came back in September against Hartlepool in former manager Harry Watling’s first game in charge.

To keep the group motivated and driven has perhaps been the manager’s toughest task given their inevitable relegation has been staring them in the face for so long.

“Let me be brutally honest, the toughest thing I knew when I was taking this job, even back in December, was where the boys were and where they were feeling,” added the Fleet boss.

“We all look at results, we look at performance on the eye, but it was the mindset and the feeling that they were having every single day.

“I keep describing it, not just out in the open, but to family, to friends, that we've been like a bit of a shattered glass, if you might put it. If you flicked it, we'd basically just break. We've been very fragile. That's not wanting to be fragile, but that's just what's happened.

“To keep the boys going, to keep them on the front foot, to keep them on their toes, to keep them bubbly has been the most difficult thing.

“The biggest thing that we're stressing to them every single day is let's finish the season with some pride. Let's go out with our heads held high, let's give it everything we've got.

“Let's start hurting other teams, and I don't like to sound like a nasty guy, but we've had enough, we've suffered enough this year.

“We've taken enough punches to the nose and been put down on the floor to get back up. It's about time we put it to some other opposition. Teams are saying ‘we've got to send them down.’

“Let’s upset their season, their play-off push, their relegation fight, whatever it might be, and that's what I want for my boys from now to the end of the season.”

At least one person was particularly happy with the Fleet’s three points – Wright’s takeaway delivery driver!

“It gives a little nicer feeling for the boys,” said Wright. “The boys can go home tonight and whatever they're going to do, have their takeaways and play their Playstations and watch films at home rather than hitting the town.

“All jokes aside, I'm certainly going to go home and when that door knocks and my takeaway comes to the door, I'm going to be a happier man and smile at him when he gives me that, rather than the moody man shutting the door on his face after giving the money!”

On getting that first win, Wright added: “It’s for everyone, it’s been a long time coming and we all know that.

“It’s why we play, why we manage, why we coach, because everything we put into it is for results. It’s some feeling, it might only be one win, but a win is a win and the boys deserve it.

“The players have suffered this season, not through a lack of care or effort. It’s been difficult for them so I’m pleased they’ve got a hard-fought three points.

“They've just had a tough, tough time this season that spiralled a little bit out of control.

“I’m proud of them and to see the fans celebrate and everyone enjoy the result is what we’ve all wanted for a long time.”