LIAM Daish hailed two players who were key to securing Ebbsfleet’s vital 3-2 victory over Eastbourne Borough on Easter Monday.

Moses Ashikodi will no doubt grab the headlines for his two goals and man of the match performance in the win which sees Fleet edge closer to safety in the Blue Square South with three games remaining.

Stefan Bailey gave Fleet the perfect start after seven minutes with a stunning goal but Ashikodi’s double in the second half helped seal a nervy win for Ebbsfleet in a second period where tempers boiled over.

Indeed, the Nigerian-born striker was lucky not to follow Dean Pooley into the dressing room for an early bath after he protested vehemently about referee Chris Powell’s decision to award Eastbourne a penalty.

But the striker also demonstrated no little skill in effectively holding up the ball, creating space for his teammates and swapping positions with Leon Crooks to leave Eastbourne’s defenders bamboozled.

Daish clearly believes if Ashikodi puts the work in, he can again achieve the highs in a career which has already seen him play Premiership football with Watford and sample the intensity of an Old Firm derby.

The manager said: “He’s just a little bit different isn’t he?

“You put up with the other things you get with Moses. He’s a great lad to work with but he’s a little bit of an enigma.”

Daish added: “He’s got that ability and he’s got something different and his two goals were top draw.

“He can do what he wants and can be what he wants.

“I think there is more in him in his all round game but I’m grateful he’s come in and done the job we asked for when we got him.”

The other hero was at the other end of the pitch.

Lance Cronin blocked Simon Weatherstone’s penalty, which could be vital come the end of the season, and pulled off three magnificent saves in the dying moments to ensure victory for Ebbsfleet.

Daish said: “Lance was the hero today.

“He made the decision, he stood nice and big and transferred the pressure onto Weatherstone and he’s single minded enough to pick the right way to go and save it to basically get us three points.”

Ebbsfleet will be hoping both Ashikodi and Cronin are in fine form in order to capitalise on their win over Eastbourne when they travel to Rushden on Saturday.

If Fleet pull of a shock victory in Northamptonshire, it will be no mean feat as the Diamonds are challenging for a play-off spot.