The hosts applied the pressure early doors, but our frantic start was soon countered with some excellent work down the right flank. Brennan Camp and Jimmy Muitt intertwined with some great build up play, which led to Alfie Rutherford recording a shot on target. However, Gio Bellagambi in goal denied any access.

Chances from Camp, Muitt and Jason Prior put us on the front foot throughout the opening 30 minutes, but we remained cautious of Ebbsfleet’s counter attacks which had previously forced Foulkes to save two threatening opportunities for Kwesi Appiah and Gene Kennedy in the 18-yard box.

The hosts worked their way into the game in the latter stages of the first half, through the forward duo of Appiah and Cosgrave. However, that didn’t stop our attack from creating chances of their own, as Bellagambi was made to prevent Prior’s strike from beating his near post on 45 minutes.

It was still anyone’s game heading into the interval, though, as neither team had yet shown their killer instincts in front of goal.

Half-Time: Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Dorking Wanderers

The players were awaken by a floodlit pitch entering the second half and we capitalised immediately, as Dennon Lewis’ delicate cross reached Jason Prior at the back post, who headed it past the goalkeeper with aplomb to open the scoring on 47 minutes. 0-1

The chances came in abundance in the aftermath; Frank Vincent thwarted an almost guaranteed Ebbsfleet goal, after clearing Cosgrave’s poked shot off the line. Then Jimmy Muitt rattled the opposing crossbar at the other end, courtesy of his thunderous strike from outside the box.

However, our one-goal lead didn’t last too long, after Ben Chapman cut inside and fired a piercing strike into the bottom right corner from long-range to level the affair 60 minutes in. 1-1

The hosts then found their rhythm. Ebbsfleet’s goalscorer orchestrated a pinpoint outside of the boot pass through to Cosgrave, whose attempt on goal was saved miraculously by Foulkes. George Moncur then followed this near-miss by trying his luck from range with an audacious lobbed effort, but Foulkes was there again to clean up the danger.

The equaliser only spurred more momentum for the home side, after they doubled their output for the afternoon after 76 minutes. Moncur’s strike launched pinball in the box, as it eventually fell to oncomer Dom Samuel. The substitute’s prod goalbound then ricocheted off Foulkes and nestled into the back of the net. 2-1

Despite our persistent fight for an equaliser late on, Josh Wright’s men were able to see out their narrow advantage to gain their first league victory in over two months.

Attention now turns to Tuesday, when we’re set to face Dover Athletic.

Full-Time: Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Dorking Wanderers

Match Report by Tom Booth