Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb reacts to 1-0 FA Cup Second Round defeat to Fleetwood Town

Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb admitted his team needed to be more ruthless after their FA Cup exit to Fleetwood.

Leading scorer Dominic Poleon missed a couple of golden opportunities in the first half and substitute Franklin Domi had an effort cleared off the line with virtually the last kick of the game.

But an error from Christian N’Guessan let in the visitors, who scored with their only shot on target in the 90 minutes through Gerard Garner to book Fleetwood’s place in the Third Round.

“I’m not really proud as we lost the game,” said Kutrieb. “I think the players should be proud as they gave it a good go. Obviously one mistake punished us but we had the better chances and we deserved to get something out of the game but you don’t always get what you deserve.

“The players should be proud of themselves but for me as a person I can’t be proud if I get a defeat, it’s not possible. Maybe in a few weeks, I’ll be proud but we’ll see.

“You need to be ruthless if you play against League 1 opposition. If you don’t take your chances then you can’t win games in general, but especially on this occasion.

“In the first half we had three good chances and in the second half with the last kick of the game. It was a clear penalty, I don’t know how he can’t see it and if that is a natural hand position then I’m not sure what is unnatural. It would have been maybe a soft penalty but if the arm is there, for me, it’s a clear penalty.

“We can’t blame that as we had enough chances to score goals and if you don’t take them then you go out of the cup.”

Kutrieb was pleased that Ebbsfleet stuck to their style of play.

The Fleet continued to pass the ball neatly and out from the back, even if the press of League 1 opponents with that little