EBBSFLEET received mathematical confirmation of their Conference relegation with a lacklustre 3-1 defeat at home to the only side below them in the league, AFC Telford United.

Stefan Payne gave Liam Daish’s side a 16th minute lead, but within 60 seconds Aaron Williams had equalised and he eventually completed a first half hat-trick.

Throughout the build-up to the game and after the final whistle there were strong protests from the fans against owners MyFC over their management of the ailing club, something which didn’t go unnoticed by the manager.

Daish said: “I feel now how I have felt too many times this season.

“I know that life is difficult around this club at the moment, but this is the story of our season.

“It hurts like anything.

“We haven’t learnt quickly enough - too many goals conceded, too many chances not taken.

“Add everything going on outside the club into the cauldron and you get what has happened today, relegation.”

A scrappy game burst into life on 16 minutes when Payne clinically finished Moses Ashikodi’s through ball, leaving Ryan Young no chance in the Telford goal.

The visitors responded instantly with Williams heading in at the back post, although Fleet stopper Lucas Menz got a hand to the ball and may have felt he could’ve done more.

“We get ourselves in front to a good goal, then we can’t defend properly and we give goals away,” admitted Daish.

The Fleet then had two chances to regain the lead as Payne had a tame effort saved before Carew managed to miss from a Jack Saville cross when it seemed easier to bury it.

Williams’ prodded effort from a low Steven Leslie cross resulted in a corner on the half hour mark.

From the ensuing set play, Williams got the final touch in a scramble to give the away side the lead.

Just over five minutes later Williams completed a first half hat-trick, once again heading home at the back post from a whipped Jake Bennett cross.

Telford were quick out of the blocks after the break as Bennett had a double effort, the first strike blocked by Saville, his second flying wildly over.

Ebbsfleet raised the tempo with fifteen minutes left, but just weren’t clinical enough with their final pass or shot.

Liam Bellamy struck over from 18 yards and also saw a late effort blocked on the line.

The ensuing melee saw the ball fall to substitute David Azin, but his tame effort was easily collected in the games last goal-mouth action.

Deep into added time Telford’s Christian Smith was sent off for a second yellow as he brought down Lanre Azeez and could have had little complaint with his dismissal.

Daish said: “To be fair to the lads we gave a good go of it in the second half, upped the tempo. But it is clear that we haven’t been good enough this season.

“There are bigger issues and concerns around this football club then what happened today.”

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