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Ebbsfleet United 3 Basingstoke 1

Calum Willock
Calum Willock

Ebbsfleet United went joint second In Blue Square Bet South after their second win on the spin, 3-1 against Basingstoke Town at Stonebridge Road on Saturday afternoon.

Fleet went level on points with Chelmsford - who saw their game rained-off - but remain third on goal difference.

Liam Daish named 17-year-old keeper Darren Hawkes - who joined this week on work experience from Gillingham - in place of the suspended Preston Edwards.

Michael West gave the hosts the lead in the fifth minute when Calum Willock (pictured) flicked-on a long ball forward and West side-footed past the advancing Mirko Ranieri, on loan from Tottenham.

Town midfielder Jason Downes was lucky to escape with a yellow after a late lunge on Ryan Blake midway through the first half while Willock went close and West headed over a fine Ashley Carew cross and dragged another shot wide of goal from an angle.

Fleet's only downside was Craig Stone limping off on 13 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.

A clumsy challenge by Clint Easton on David Pratt after eight minutes of the second half handed the visitors a lifeline and defender Rob Rice found the net from the spot despite Hawkes going the right way.

However Gareth Williams was taken down by Ranieri in the area allowing Carew to slot home from the spot and restore Fleet's lead on 63 minutes.

The killer third arrived 10 minutes from time when substitute Ricky Shakes crossed from the right and Gareth Williams' shot was parried by Ranieri but only into the path of Willock to fire into the net.

What's your response to the Fleet victory? Have your say below.

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