Marc White’s made four changes from last weekend’s late defeat at

Meadowbank. Matt Briggs and Callum Kennedy came in for Bobby Joe Taylor and Seb Bowerman, both picking up knocks at the weekend, whilst Aaron Kuhl and Joe Cook also returned to the Wanderers starting XI for the first time since last month.

Ebbsfleet came into Tuesday evening’s encounter evidently reeling from an embarrassing away day at Altringham, and almost fell behind early on from the first chance of the game. A clever move from Tom Blair in tricking past the Fleet defence found the winger through on goal, only to be denied by Fleet’s ‘keeper Mark Cousins.

Minutes later, the hosts would be presented with an early opportunity of their own courtesy of Ouss Cisse. A corner won by Tony Edser in his attempt to shrug off Franklin Domi saw Cisse with an opportunity inside the box, however his shot swayed wide of Harrison Male in-between the sticks.

Dorking would continue to pressure Cousins in the Ebbsfleet goal, the most notable attempt coming in the closing stages of the half. Blair’s pinged ball into the box towards Jason Prior found its way back to the former, with Blair sending the ball just over the crossbar courtesy of a sweet strike from distance.

Ebbsfleet responded to Dorking’s pressure deep into stoppage time, and almost found a way to ruin Marc White’s half time team talk. A blistering run from David Amoo allowed Edser to get into a great deal of space, who in the end found himself flat footed and scuffed his shot, much to the relief of Male in goal.

H/T: 0-0

The hosts began the second half in the same manner that they finished the first, with Amoo involved once again for the Fleet. The efforts of Gallagher and Kennedy in keeping the score level were almost undone when Amoo worked his way towards goal, on this occasion striking wide from a tight angle.

Despite sustained pressure from Dennis Kutrieb’s side, it would be Dorking that broke the deadlock at the Kufflink. A delightful cross from Francomb was headed onto the path of Ottoway by Jason Prior, allowing the substitute to nod past Cousins inside the box and open his account for the season.

Dorking maintained their defensive structure throughout the second half, with Harrison Male called into action in the latter stages of the half. A passing move from the Fleet found the substitute Craig Tanner with time outside the box, however his low strike did little to trouble Male.

Minutes later, Dorking attempted to extend their lead, having been presented with a promising opportunity from a set piece. Tom Blair’s free kick on the edge of the box was blasted towards Cousins in goal, who was forced to tip over in order to deny Dorking a two goal lead and prevent Blair notching a second goal in as many matches.

As the second half ticked away, the home side almost found themselves level through Coulthirst on two separate occasions. A sizzling cross from Cisse found the forward in great space, only to strike narrowly wide, before blasting into the side netting from a similar position just three minutes later.

Wanderers would survive the sustained pressure of their opponents, holding out for a second away victory of the season in a victory complimented by a resolute defensive display against a back drop of injury concerns and changes in personnel.

The result sees Wanderers climb from 16th to 14th in the National League table. Next up is a first ever trip to Victoria Park, with Marc White’s men travelling north to face Hartlepool United away from home.

George Taylor