Ebbsfleet United defender Craig Stone is determined to see his side finish as high as possible in the league this season.

A shaky start to the season by Fleet saw them languishing near the bottom of the Blue Square Premier league, but a good run of form has seen them climb to 16th in the table despite recent defeats to Lincoln City and Darlington.

A 3-3 draw with Kidderminster Harriers at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night could be considered as two points dropped after leading 3-1, but Stone believes his side were glad to have comeback from a goal down early in the game:

“Before the game with them doing so well in the league and on a good run of form and with us on the back of a few defeats, we probably would have taken a point. Going in at half time 1-0 down and not playing as well as we could have done, a draw would have been a good result.”

“At 3-1 up we looked comfortable, so it’s disappointing that we didn’t get all three points and it could be seen as two points dropped, but a point was probably a fair result.”

Under the stewardship of manager Liam Daish, Ebbsfleet United have proven in recent months that they can be a match for anyone in the league.

Although the Fleet are thirteen points behind Cambridge United who occupy the last play-off place, Stone is of the belief his side are more than capable of bridging that gap if they can remain consistent for the next few months:

“It took us a little while to get used to this league. Going up from the Conference South there are a lot of differences, but now I think we are settled in this league and know what it takes to win games.”

“Knowing the gaffer as I do, he wants to achieve things all the time and make sure we fulfil our potential. We are looking to finish as high as we can and we showed against Kidderminster that we are a match for anyone.”

“On our day we can beat anyone and I’m sure most clubs aren’t too keen to play us. It is about always picking up results in this league and we’ll push as hard as we can and see where we end up.”

Ebbsfleet begin that challenge of climbing the table with one of the longest journeys in football on Saturday when they go to Barrow, but Stone told Kent Sports News how he feels his side are well equipped to beat the Cumbrians:

“We have got to play them, but it is a long journey. It is unfortunate that we have got to go there and then go to Truro in the FA Trophy, but going up on the coach we will go as a team and that can be good for morale.”

“We’ll be staying up there overnight, so we will have more time to get together and if we play to our potential we should be able to pick up all three points.”

Stone began his career at Gillingham and made his professional debut against Hartleppol United in November 2005, aged just sixteen.

Now twenty two, Stone has been at Ebbsfleet United for the past three years with a brief loan spell at Maidstone United and is now targeting life back as a full-time pro after a career threatening leg break.

Incidentally, the leg break came against former Gillingham team-mate Andrew Crofts who was on loan at Wrexham at the time.

“I had that bad injury and had to stop playing football for a while. Since I’ve been back, I’ve got my fitness back and I’d love to be training every day and playing regularly.”

“That’s something every footballer wants to do, play as high as they possibly can and I’m no different.”

“At the moment I’m loving being at Ebbsfleet and long may that continue.”

You can catch Craig and Ebbsfleet United back in action next Tuesday night when they entertain Cambridge United in the league with kick off at 7:45pm at Stonebridge Road.

For more on Ebbsfleet United, visit their website www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk