Moses Ashikodi

Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Kettering

Kettering defeated Ebbsfleet United 2-1 in the Blue Square Premier on Tuesday night to move back into the play-off places.

Moses Ashikodi, who joined the Fleet only hours before kickoff from Town, scored on his debut but ended up on the losing side with James Dance and Jean-Paul Marna scoring either side of his second half penalty.

The loss sees Fleet remain in the relegation zone with 21 points from 29 games but only two points from safety.

The home side started brightly with Peter Holmes and Darius Charles getting in some good early shots as they found space on the edge of the Kettering 18-yard area but it was the visitors, who struck the first blow after 30 minutes.

Dance did well to beat Clint Easton on the right flank and cut inside before blasting a shot past Fleet keeper Lance Cronin.

Ebbsfleet should have been back in the tie just six minutes later but Holmes saw his penalty saved by Nathan Abbey after Ashikodi had been fouled by John Dempster.

With just a single goal advantage, Kettering upped the tempo in the second period and came close to extending their lead through Dance, but Cronin did well to hold on to his well-hit shot.

Fleet then were given another opportunity to level the score as Ashikodi was upended in the box on 50 minutes by Alton Thelwell. Ashikodi picked himself up to bury the ball past Abbey and create an exciting finish to the match.

But it was a mistake in the 63rd minute that decided the tie as Charles tried to play a simple back pass to his goalkeeper not realising that Marna was perfectly placed to receive the ball, waltz past Cronin and find the back of the net.

With Ebbsfleet offering little in the way of a comeback, Kettering were able to control the play and secure another three points.

Ebbsfleet United bookings: None

Kettering bookings: Roper, Abbey

Ref: Brendan Malone

Att: 587