The new year has led to a fresh approach from Ebbsfleet United, who have brought in former Gillingham manager Steve Lovell as director of football this week, as they look to haul themselves away from danger.

Lovell will assist manager Kevin Watson in what will be a crucial period of recruitment for the Fleet, who head up to Barrow AFC tomorrow seven points adrift of safety and second-from-bottom in the National League.

Since last meeting the Bluebirds, Ebbsfleet haven't had enough of a change of fortunes for them to force their heads above water, even though they've had a change of manager in that time.

Garry Hill lasted just a few more weeks after AFC swept them aside 3-0 at Stonebridge Road back in September, with Watson, who was initially brought in as a first team coach, eventually replacing him in the host seat.

They have only won once in their last nine games and are in danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table, alongside Chorley, with their success over fellow strugglers Wrexham at the end of November the last time they picked up all three points.

Like Barrow, Ebbsfleet had a slightly reduced winter schedule, after their match against Woking just before Christmas was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Since then, a defeat at home to Dover has been sandwiched by two 1-1 draws against Dagenham & Redbridge, the most recent of those coming on New Year's Day, when Will Wright's goal cancelled out an early opener from the Fleet's Alex Reid.

Watson said after the game: "“We don’t make anything easy for ourselves. The little man on their shoulder that tells them one goal is enough needs to be brushed aside because human nature at the minute means we’re scoring and we’re thinking that’s enough.”

Tomorrow's match at Holker Street will hopefully be more memorable than Ebbsfleet's last visit, a drab 0-0 draw that was played out in February 2019.