EBBSFLEET United kept their unbeaten away record in tact as they defeated Boreham Wood by a single goal on a cold afternoon at Meadow Park.

Fielding an unchanged starting XI from their FA Cup victory against Needham Market last weekend, manager Liam Daish recalled the previously injured Dean Pooley and Gareth Williams to the bench.

Boreham Wood’s team included a familiar face in Joe Benjamin, a player who left Ebbsfleet only a month ago.

Both sides attempted to make positive starts but it was Ebbsfleet who had the better opportunities, as Tom Phipp saw a shot deflect wide and Ashley Carew forced Boreham Wood keeper Ashlee Jones to parry a curling free-kick.

Ricky Shakes should have put the visitors in front two minutes later but volleyed over from six yards following a Callum Willock flick-on.

Boreham Wood’s only chance of the opening exchanges fell to Benjamin but his close range shot flew past the post.

Ebbsfleet deservedly broke the deadlock five minutes before the break with Michael West latching onto Phipp’s pass and slotting a shot past Jones from the edge of the area.

The visitors began the second half on the attack with Jones twice having to be alert to deny Willock, who also had a header fly past the post.

Following a 10-minute spell of domination, Ebbsfleet adopted a more defensive outlook and allowed Boreham Wood to dictate the game.

However, they struggled to create any clear-cut chances, even when six foot seven giant Fola Onibuje was introduced from the bench.

The home side’s best chance for an equaliser fell to Elliott Godfrey but his powerful shot was well saved by Edwards.

As the game entered its closing stages, Boreham Wood’s Leon McKenzie was sent off as he received a second yellow for hauling down Willock on the halfway line.

This proved to be the last incident of an uneventful second half with Ebbsfleet managing to hang on for three points.

The two teams meet again on Saturday in the FA Cup at Stonebridge Road, kick-off 3pm.

Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Stone, Duncan, Carew, Easton, Lorraine, West, Marwa, Willock, Shakes (Williams 71), Phipp. Subs not used: Hagan, Howe, Henry, Pooley.