EBBSFLEET could yet pull of an escape that Harry Houdini would be proud of after beating Eastbourne Borough on Easter Monday.

Fleet would be relegation certainties had a victory not been secured yesterday with the teams around them picking up vital points by cashing in on games in hand over the Easter period.

However, the Blue Square Premier relegation battle took another twist as a saved penalty by Lance Cronin and goals from Moses Ashikodi and Stefan Bailey handed 10-man Ebbsfleet a vital victory over opponents who are also scrambling for survival.

Any cobwebs which were lingering from the 3-1 defeat at Salisbury City on Good Friday were banished after just seven minutes.

Bailey's stunning long range effort sent Stonebridge Road into jubilation.

Eastbourne had their best chance of the first half midway through the opening period when Luke Rooney lined up a free-kick after he was fouled by Bailey but the winger’s effort drifted agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

Fleet hit back when Wills was put clear by Ashikodi’s delightful flick but the midfielder’s shot deflected out for a corner, which was easily cleared by Eastbourne.

Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish must have been dreading a repeat of the 6-1 drubbing by Luton in the second half when Matt Crab hit a stinging shot to put Eastbourne on level terms just two minutes after the interval.

But Fleet retook the lead soon after when Ashikodi pounced on a rebound to lash it home when Cronin’s kick caught Eastbourne on the break.

Ashikodi grabbed his second three minutes later when he tapped in after Vieira’s cross was blocked by Knowles.

Substitute Joe Benjamin reduced the arrears by swivelling in the box to stab past Cronin and the visitors were awarded a penalty moments later when Benjamin was dragged down in the box by Dean Pooley.

Referee Chris Powell initially showed Pooley a yellow card for the foul but the defender was given his marching orders for continuously expressing his indignation at the initial decision.

However, Cronin blocked Simon Weatherstone’s spot kick and then made three crucial saves to help Ebbsfleet pull off a great escape.

Ebbsfleet: Cronin, Salmon, Crooks, Pooley, Charles, Holmes, Bailey, Wills (Heeroo 87), Vieira (Stavrinou 87), Shakes, Ashikodi. Subs not used: Welsh, Ginty, Read. Att: 1,214.