Ebbsfleet enjoyed an impressive 2-1 win over Conference South leaders Bromley in front of almost two thousand fans at Hayes Lane.

Bromley’s seven-match unbeaten run came to an end, as a well drilled Fleet side went home 2-1 victors, gaining quick revenge for the Lillywhites’ 1-0 triumph at Stonebridge Road 17 days earlier.

In a hard-fought derby game, it was Bromley who had the first chance in the fourth minute as Danny Waldren’s stabbed effort was cleared off the line by Dean Rance following a goalmouth scramble.

From the clearance, Ebbsfleet broke down the right flank to open the scoring. 

Home keeper Alan Julian charged out to the corner flag to clear a long pass, but was beaten to it by Sean Shields who kept the ball in play before it eventually reached the unmarked Adam Cunnington on the edge of the area.

Although Julian was now back in goal, he was helpless to do anything about Cunnington’s curling strike which was well placed just inside the post.

Shields hit the post two minutes later following some shoddy home defending, while Julian only just grabbed Stuart Lewis’ cross at the far post before Rance’s looping effort was saved by the Bromley keeper.

Moses Ademola beat three defenders before dragging his shot well wide, although the hosts might have levelled the scorels on 24 minutes.

Joe Anderson’s free-kick was cleared out to Waldren, who headed the back into the danger zone and Ebbsfleet keeper Brandon Hall did well to punch clear.

Julian put Shield’s hopeful 35-yard shot wide just before Bromley equalised in the 34th minute.

Ademola’s left wing corner was only cleared as far as Anderson and his delivery back into the goalmouth found Jamie Slabber, whose deft header went over Hall and into the far corner.

Ebbsfleet might have regained their lead three minutes later as Kevin Langmead headed Matt Johnson’s free-kick downwards, but the attempt bounced up into Julian’s arms. 

The second half was a drab affair until Matt Gooden burst into the penalty area on 62 minutes, only to be denied by a Jack Holland block.

The ball rebounded to Godden who then beat Julian with a lot shot, only for Ugo Udoji to get back brilliantly to divert it behind for a corner.

But Julian was a mere spectator three minutes later as Godden hit a 35 yard shot which simply flew past the stranded keeper to put the visitors in the lead for the second time.

Hall dropped Ademola’s shot and Bradley Goldberg’s follow up hit the foot of the post before Goldberg and substitute Adam Birchall combined to set up Waldren, who saw his lob beat Hall and come back off the crossbar.

Julian parried Lewis’s low shot with nine minutes remaining before Anderson tidied up, while Waldren’s reverse pass at the other end had Hall scrambling across his goalmouth.

Ademola should have equalised for in the seventh minute of added time, but hooked his effort wide from a central position.

Despite this setback, Bromley remain in top spot one point ahead of Boreham Wood and with two games in hand.

Fleet are now seven points outside of the play-offs, so this vital win keeps their outside promotion hopes still alive.

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Bromley: Julian, Udoji (Carter 90), Anderson, Prestedge (Birchall 67), McNaughton, Holland, Ademola, Waldren, Slabber, Goldberg, Rodgers (Fuseini 67). Subs not used: Brown, Dennis. 

Ebbsfleet United: Hall, Fish, Langmead, Bonner, Jefford, Rance, Johnson, S Lewis (T Lewis 87), Shields (Osborn 79), Godden, Cunnington. Subs not used: Acheampong, Edwards, Gower. Att: 1,988.