Ebbsfleet 2 Torquay 1

EBBSFLEET United stretched their unbeaten run to six games after beating Blue Square Premier leaders Torquay 2-1 at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Torquay started the game brightly and should have opened the scoring after nine minutes when midfielder Chris Zebroski was left with the goal at his mercy after a good ball by Kevin Nicholson but the Millwall loanee mis-timed his initial shot before firing a second chance into the side netting.

The Fleet looked a threat on the counter-attack and on 15 minutes John Hastings did well to get a shot away after creating space for himself in the box, but his effort flew over the bar.

The visitors went close to breaking the deadlock on 23 minutes when Lance Cronin misjudged a cross and Chris McPhee was forced to clear off the line after a shot from Tony Beddau.

The Gulls should have found themselves in front just before half-time when leading scorer Tim Sills found himself in space on the right after a mistake by Sacha Opinel, but his shot was well saved by Cronin.

In the second half, the home side caught Torquay napping when Stacy Long found space on the left. His shot beat keeper Simon Rayner but defender Chris Todd cleared the effort off the line.

The Fleet had more possession after the break and were rewarded for their efforts when teenager Luke Moore scored the game's opening goal after 72 minutes.

McPhee crossed from the right and Moore met the ball with a glancing header tp put the home side ahead.

But the lead lasted just five minutes when a corner from Nicholson was headed home by Mark Ellis.

Ebbsfleet refused to settle for a draw and their pressure was rewarded when Long controlled the ball brilliantly on the left wing before cutting inside and firing a shot past Rayner at ths near post.

Ebbsfleet: Cronin, McPhee, McCarthy, Hawkins, Opinel, Moore, Long, DeBolla, Barrett, Nade, Hastings (Ricketts 65).

Subs Not Used: Mott, Maskell, Goodhind, Coleman.

Attendance: 1,368.