Stonebridge Road

Ebbsfleet 4-3 Forest Green

Ebbsfleet United boosted their survival prospects after edging past fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers in a seven-goal thriller at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute when Dean Pooley was adjudged to have fouled Ebbsfleet striker Isaiah Rankin in the area.

Rankin made no mistake from the penalty spot to break the deadlock but the Fleet drew level just two minutes later as Magno Vieira headed home Stefan Bailey's cross from deep inside the penalty area.

Rovers reclaimed the lead just minutes later when Daniel Powell collected a diagonal pass from Rankin before firing into bottom-left corner from inside the six-yard box.

Ebbsfleet rallied again at the start of the second period and drew level in the 55th minute when Darius Charles' speculative shot was tipped onto the crossbar and Vieira popped up to slam the ball home.

Forest Green were also up to the challenge and reclaimed the lead in the 71st minute when Powell beat his markers to fire a low, powerful shot into the bottom-left corner.

However, Stefan Bailey handed Ebbsfleet a lifeline when he fired a long-range shot which skipped off the surface and into the bottom-right corner.

And with the encounter delicately poised, Leon Crooks made himself a hero by heading home Scott Ginty's cross in injury time and sending the home supporters into wild celebrations.

Ebbsfleet bookings: None.

Forest Green bookings: None.

Referee: John Sarries.

Attendance: 790.