Gary McCann was disappointed with the result but saw plenty of positives in the display at Ebbsfleet on Saturday, and also explained the reasons for the formation.

He said, "I am disappointed in the result. We knew it was going to be a difficult game because they are a team at the top of a division above us. I went to watch them on Tuesday night and they looked a different team on Saturday, but a change of manager often does that.

"Overall, I think we gave a very good account of ourselves. We played our part in containing them when they attacked us, but we were well shackled when we went forward. I don't think we let ourselves down at all in this game - unlike the loss to Dorchester.

"It was a tactical decision to play Sam Murphy instead of Leon Smith on the right, but we felt he could do a better job in defending Anthony Cook, who we knew was their danger man. It worked well overall in containing him, but we were shackled in attack.

"This was one of those occasions that you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. I prefer not to set up our team to stop an opponent, but there are times when you have to make a difficult decision. Had the game gone to a replay, I would probably have played Leon.

"I thought we had the best chance of the first half, the one to Andre Da Costa, but we couldn't really get it up to the next gear to get past them. Kezie Ibe and the midfield were well marshalled by Ebbsfleet, who you must remember are one of the favourites to win their division."