Halifax 1-0 Ebbsfleet

Simon Heslop's solitary second-half strike saw Halifax move out of the Blue Square Premier relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Ebbsfleet.

The visitors saw strong claims for a penalty waved away in the first half when Stacy Long's shot struck Anthony Griffin on his hand.

Further misery was to follow when the Fleet were reduced to 10 men on 29 minutes after defender Sacha Opinel was sent off for a professional foul on Griffin.

The hosts were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Darius Charles brought down Lewis Killeen, but Jon Shaw saw his spot-kick turned around the post by Lance Cronin.

But Halifax found the back of the net 10 minutes later when Danny Forrest set up Heslop to fire home the winner from outside the area.

Halifax bookings: Forrest, Atherton.

Ebbsfleet bookings: McPhee.

Ebbsfleet sending off: Opinel.

Referee: J Waugh

Attendance: 1063