Ebbsfleet United manager Josh Wright reflects on missing out on the National League South play-off places after losing 2-0 at champions Worthing on Saturday

Ebbsfleet boss Josh Wright has spoken about his disappointment after letting the chance of promotion slip away.

The Fleet lost 2-0 as hosts Worthing were crowned National League South champions on Saturday.

It means Ebbsfleet missed out on the play-offs on goal difference, even finishing below Kent rivals Maidstone in ninth place as none of the results went their way on the final day.

“It's fine margins, as I keep saying, but it really is,” said Wright.

“We let this one slip through our hands but you live and learn.

“I said (to the players) you've got to feel the hurt that you're feeling right now and hearing (Worthing) celebrate next door. You need to channel that.

“We all need to learn from what's happened but it was over the course of the season.

“Every time I felt like we got so close, something knocked us. It was like two steps forward, one step back all the time.

“It just felt like that, and I just had that feeling. But we can't dwell on it. We have to live and learn.

“It's so painful. Believe me, I'm hurting. I'm hurting like you wouldn't believe, and rightly so, and so should everyone else be.”

Wright added: “I’m gutted for everyone. It boils down to a fine margin.

“You're talking about a point. That's the difference, when you talk about that little period of throwing wins away that turned into draws. Just one of those games and you're now comfortably in the play-offs.

“(I’m) distraught, if I'm honest. It will take me a little bit of time to get over this one and regroup. The fact we've just fallen short is the most hurtful thing.”

Wright pointed to the massive turnaround from the previous campaign’s relegation from the National League.

The Fleet have fallen short of their target but rookie boss Wright now has