EMOTION LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Critics gave us no chance, says Cousins

- Matthew Nash

MARK COUSINS admits the doubters at Ebbsfleet United had to be persuaded they could pull off an unlikely bid for survival following a miserable first half of the season.

The Fleet secured National League safety last weekend with a goalless draw at Boreham Wood which sent the hosts down, completing an impressive turnaround under manager Danny Searle.

The former Aldershot boss was appointed permanently in February following an interim spell and kept the Kent side up on a tense final day, his team staying up by two points and two places after a battling performance.

Cousins made great saves from substitutes Angelo Balanta and Kwesi Appiah as Ebbsfleet held on and the ex-Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper admitted it had been a season of two halves after the exit of previous manager Dennis Kutrieb - the man who led them to promotion last term.

Searle's influence was clear as he kept Ebbsfleet cool, calm and collected for a fraught final day.