EBBSFLEET United came out on top in the north Kent derby when they defeated nine-man Dartford at Stonebridge Road yesterday.

The goals came in a frantic first half, as Derek Duncan and Callum Willock netted for the hosts, while Elliot Bradbrook scored for Dartford.

Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish kept the same starting XI which defeated Hayes & Yeading in the FA Trophy.

Dartford, without flu-stricken manager Tony Burman, made two changes from the side which defeated Crawley, with Tom Champion in for Michael Shinn and former Fleet player George Purcell starting instead of Carl Rook.

The home fans did not have to wait long to see their side take the lead when Paul Goodacre gave away a 10th minute free-kick after obstructing Michael West 25 yards from goal.

Derek Duncan took a quick free-kick and curled the ball past Andrew Young in the Darts goal.

The Fleet’s celebrations were short-lived as Dartford equalised almost immediately.

Cheered on by a vociferous following, the visitors won a free-kick midway inside the Ebbsfleet half after a Tom Phipp foul.

Ryan Hayes delivered a pinpoint cross into the box to find Bradbrook, whose free header flew past Preston Edwards and into the back of the net.

Dartford soon began to look more confident in possession, yet could not create any chances.

Ebbsfleet, meanwhile, relied on counter-attacking play, which saw Willock somehow miss from six yards after a right-wing cross from Joe Howe.

Michael West played Willock through on goal on 32 minutes.

Having outpaced the Darts’ defence, Willock was sent tumbling when Joe Bruce mistimed his tackle.

The referee had little choice but to send Bruce off for denying a scoring opportunity.

From the subsequent penalty, Willock coolly sent Young the wrong way to restore Ebbsfleet’s advantage.

The second half began in controversy as Dartford felt they were denied a penalty when Paul Lorraine slid in on Purcell.

Gareth Williams and Howe then both went close for the hosts as they tried to put the game beyond Dartford.

The pace of the game gradually began to slow as both teams looked fatigued.

Dartford adopted a long ball strategy and it nearly paid off when Charlie Sheringham was played clean through, but a brilliant tackle from Clint Easton and a save from Edwards prevented the ball from crossing the line.

This proved to be the final opportunity for the Darts, whose misery was compounded on 85 minutes when substitute James White received his marching orders for a reckless challenge on Duncan.

White could have no complaints, having received a yellow card for exactly the same offence earlier in the game.

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Stone, Lorraine, Easton, Duncan, Howe, Marwa, Phipp (Shakes 77), West, Williams (Ginty 90), Willock Subs not used: Hagan, Henry, Pooley.

Dartford: Young, Burgess, Bruce, Goodacre, Bonner, Champion, Hayes (White 66), Sheringham (Burchell 83), Purcell, Burns (Berquez 83), Bradbrook Subs not used: Burman, Whitehouse. Att: 2,435.