Ebbsfleet United manager Daryl McMahon warned his side that their 3-2 defeat at home to Wealdstone on Saturday was not the performance of promotion contenders.

Ebbsfleet reacted well and got back on level terms when Danny Haynes headed in a Joe Howe cross on 14 minutes.

The home side were uncharacteristically sloppy at the back, however, and were punished just before half time when a goalmouth scramble allowed Harriott to fire into an empty net for his second of the afternoon.

Fleet started the brighter of the two sides in the second half and were rewarded with an equaliser when Matt Godden headed in five minutes after the restart.

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However, Fleet continued to struggle at the back and Jefferson Louis slotted home Wealdstone's third on 61 minutes – a goal that dealt the home side their second consecutive home defeat.

“It was very frustrating,” McMahon said. “We have gifted them three goals really.

“We knew that they would come here and try and counter attack us and they did. We did not defend well at all.

“We have had plenty of the ball and plenty of chances and not won, but that happens sometimes.”

McMahon admitted that the Fleet cannot afford to concede three goals at home if they are to secure promotion from the National League South this season.

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He added: “I said to the boys in the changing room, it does not matter what way you dress it up, to concede three goals at home is very poor and there is no getting away from that.

“If we have aspirations to go and get promotion this season, you cannot concede three goals at home against anybody.

“Our performance today with the ball was good, but it was not good enough without it.”

“We were beaten too easy, not pressing the ball quick enough, not killing counter attacks quick enough at source.”

But despite the defeat McMahon still remains confident in his side: “I do not expect us to turn up every week and win every game.

“We have to be strong and come through it. We are still top of the table and long may it continue for us.”

Ebbsfleet will look to bounce back next weekend at home to second-place Oxford City.

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