ON a glorious night in the FA Trophy quarter-final replay, Ebbsfleet United produced a second half display of scintillating attacking football to overhaul Wrexham and secure a place in the semi-final against Stevenage Borough.

The first half started slowly with both sides looking strong in defence and the midfield creating few clear-cut chances.

Ebbsfleet skipper Darius Charles looked in commanding form and tightly marked Wrexham target-man Jefferson Louis, frustrating the powerful striker and stifling the Wrexham attack.

Neither keeper was seriously tested in the first half but Ebbsfleet looked more incisive in front of goal and were breaking well on the counter-attack, particularly down the right with good link-up play between Mark Ricketts and winger Luke Moore.

The most notable chance of the first half fell to Guiseppe Sole who had time and space on the edge of the box but blasted his shot high and just wide of the Wrexham goal.

Wrexham had the last kick of the first half with a dangerous 20-yard free-kick which was directed wide by midfielder Jon Brown. Fleet keeper Lance Cronin survived the half without making a save.

The second half kicked off at a frenetic pace.

In the opening minute, Neil Barrett played a neat exchange of passes on the edge of the box and fired low at Wrexham keeper Gavin Ward, but his shot was saved.

On 50 minutes, substitute Sacha Opinel, in a moment of madness, attempted to head the ball back to keeper Cronin but instead sent the ball into the path of the onrushing Wrexham striker Louis, who coolly slotted home past the exposed Ebbsfleet keeper.

Daish’s men responded fantastically and Michael Gash led the line with renewed vigour, linking up play with the midfield effectively.

After some sustained pressure, Ebbsfleet got the goal they deserved as Sole played a neat one-two with Gash, forced his way into the box and scored low, beneath the Wrexham keeper.

On the hour, some deft inter-play between the Fleet midfield resulted in Barrett being fouled in the box by Wrexham’s Andy Croft.

The referee signalled a penalty and Moore stepped up to take it.

Keeper Ward guessed correctly and saved to his left as the Fleet fans groaned in unison.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure with a number of shots being cleared by desperate Wrexham defenders.

Opinal, looking to make amends for his earlier mistake, had two close-range shots scrambled clear.

On 75 minutes, Moore, making amends for his penalty miss, produced the moment of the match as he scored a spectacular volley from 25-yards.

Wrexham tried to clear their lines, but the ball fell to the Fleet winger who connected brilliantly to send his scorching drive into the back of the net.

Fleet were inspired and scored another goal 10 minutes later.

John Martin, on his home debut, struck first time from 20-yards out, receiving the ball from Moore after some skilled wing-play, and looped his shot over the Wrexham keeper.

It was great timing for the third goal and Wrexham could provide no answer.

This was an emphatic victory and one which will certainly give confidence to the Fleet.

If they can recreate this performance in the semi-final matches, the hopes of retaining the Trophy and returning to Wembley will definitely be high.

Ebbsfleet United: Cronin, Crooks, Long, Gash, Martin, Barrett, Ricketts, Moore (Shakes 86), Charles, Duncan (Opinel 21), Sole. Subs not used: Pooley, Mott, Judge. Att: 992.