Gary MacDonald thought about quitting football this year before returning to Hayes & Yeading this summer.

The veteran defender had thought about hanging up his boots at the end of last season but has been rejuvenated by Phil Babb at York Road.

He has become an integral part of the United team and played again on Saturday as Ebbsfleet, another one of his former teams, ran out 2-0 winners despite playing for an hour with 10 men.

“I was thinking that last season was going to be my last in the game,” said MacDonald. “I wasn’t enjoying it that much and really thought that would be it.

“I joined Slough and had a good pre-season and then the gaffer got in touch and asked me if I wanted to come back.

“I was more than happy to say yes and give it one last swansong in the Conference South.”

Ebbsfleet’s Preston Edwards was the man to see red on Saturday.

United were dominant for the opening 30 minutes before the Fleet keeper was sent off for handling outside the area and Babb believes this helped, rather than hindered his opponents.

“For 30 minutes before their keeper got sent off we were controlling the game and it looked like it was going to be a good day for us,” said the United boss.

“People will look at it and think we should have won as they were down to 10 men, but I’ve found, even at the highest level, teams that go a man down are more resolute.

“They set up not to get beat and they held out.

“They got a goal and had something to hang on to and hit us on the counter when we were pushing everything forward to try and win the game.”

Charlie Sheringham, scoring seconds before half-time, and Anthony Cook got the goals to secure the points for the Kent side.

Babb has strengthened his squad with striker Cliff Akurang, midfielder Louis-Rae Beadle and keeper Grant Smith all joining this week, while stopper Alex Lynch has returned to parent club Wycombe Wanderers.