Ebbsfleet goalscorer Michael Cheek admitted to conflicting emotions after opening his Fleet account. He showed great technique to get on the end of Corey Whitely’s delivery in the 27th minute and send a half volley on target to record his first goal in his third start in a Fleet shirt.

“It’s certainly mixed emotions at the moment,” Cheek told Charles Webster. “Obviously I’m happy to get off the mark but it’s a shame we didn’t get the three points. Going down to 10 men is obviously not great to then go and get three points. I’m pleased for myself but gutted for the team.”

Cheek and Whitely developed an understanding over the river at the Daggers last season and the pair are keen to further that relationship at the Kuflink Stadium.

“It was great work from Corey,” said Cheek. “We linked up at Dagenham so we know each other’s game but he did really well for the goal. And let’s hope there’s more goals – with three points that will feel even better.”

The pair return to Dagenham next Saturday but before that is another chance to put some points on the board in a Kent derby v Bromley on Tuesday. Cheek echoed his manager’s thoughts that despite the disappointment of a single point, there was promise and a better work ethic evident against Havant.

“We put them under pressure a lot in the first half, we had so many corners and balls into the box but it just didn’t fall for us in the end,” said the Fleet striker. “There were definitely lots of positives. You could tell from the boys that they put more work in today and we were on the front foot a lot. Me and Corey were down the sides of the defenders and we got in a couple of times so there are positives to go into Tuesday.”