EBBSFLEET ground out a hard-fought victory against Altrincham last night to secure three vital points in their bid to beat the drop and ease a bit of tension at Stonebridge Road.

The football was often secondary as both sides needed the points for salvation.

Neither team controlled the game for any lengthy spell as play was often contained in midfield with long ball tactics throughout.

Ebbsfleet looked promising from the kick-off and flooded the Altrincham box with a succession of early attacks, winning a series of dangerous corners from the onset.

It should have been 1-0 in the first minute from one of these corners, but Luke Moore blazed his shot over the bar from two-yards with a high, scuffed effort.

Looking to rectify his mistake, Moore linked up with Michael Gash on the edge of the box.

Some deft one-touch interplay between the front men lead to a low cross being fired in front of Altrincham keeper Stuart Coburn and Ricky Shakes arrived ahead of his marker to finish first time inside the six-yard box.

The home side continued to pile on pressure after the goal but to no avail.

Altrincham looked quiet and limited in attack but worked hard to negate any of Ebbsfleet’s early promise.

Gash led the line brilliantly in his formidable style and won many flick-ons, while Shakes looked to use his speed on the wing at every opportunity.

Altrincham were reduced to a series of long shots on the half hour and could only test Lance Cronin from distance.

Fleet had the more telling opportunities throughout and right before half-time, after collecting a through ball from Shakes, Gash hit a hard low shot from inside the box but Coburn neatly saved with his legs.

The second half started quietly and the game was quiet for long periods with Fleet looking to protect their slender lead and Altrincham unconvincingly forcing more men forward.

Altrincham pushed men into the box in droves from set pieces and Fleet sought to counter quickly through Gash, Shakes and the fleet-footed Luke Moore.

As Altrincham applied more pressure, Daish’s side dug their heels in and battled bravely for the win.

Ebbsfleet were denied a penalty claim in injury time which, on another day, may have been given but the three points were all that mattered and the final whistle was greatly received by the Stonebridge Road faithful.

Daish’s men have games in hand over their rivals at the foot of the league and last night’s victory proved that his side can perform under pressure and produce results when they are most needed.

Ebbsfleet Utd: Cronin, Ricketts (Opinel 64), Crooks, McCarthy, Charles, Shakes, Martin, Long (Yussuff 89), Slatter, Gash, Moore (Purcell 90). Subs not used: Mott, West. Att: 774.