EBBSFLEET UTD 0, ALDERSHOT TN 2

UNBEATEN at home since November, and without defeat in all league games since Boxing Day, Ebbsfleet’s proud record foundered in the face of a superbly resilient Aldershot performance.

Goals for James Rowe and Scott Rendell earned a richly deserved victory on Tuesday, lifting the Shots to third in the National League table and provided the perfect riposte to supporters who had doubted the team, collectively, and in particular experienced striker Rendell.

Ebbsfleet’s record is somewhat misleading because, going into this game, Daryl McMahon’s side had drawn eight of their nine games and were languishing 19th in the league.

Even so, the visitors were dominant in every area and restricted Ebbsfleet to a couple of periods of pressure which Aldershot withstood in impressive fashion on a wet night in Kent.

“We were very committed and professional against a tough outfit who have started the season well,” said Gary Waddock, “and I think the scoreline was a true reflection of our performance. There’s a fantastic team spirit in our dressing-room and it showed tonight. They were magnificent, they put their bodies on the line and they are shattered.”

Promoted Ebbsfleet were made to look ordinary and one-dimensional as Aldershot started apace. Rendell should have scored on five minutes, shooting wide from close range after Matt McClure’s excellent cross.

The prolific Darren McQueen briefly threatened for Ebbsfleet before Aldershot took the lead on 16 minutes. An incisive move down the left saw Rendell dummy the low cross into the goalmouth and McClure flicked the ball into the path of Rowe, who finished well.

The hosts’ best spell came on 30 minutes, a series of corners ending with Jake Cole superbly tipping a Danny Kedwell header over the crossbar.

Malta international Sam Magri guided another header wide of goal and, as half-time approached, Jack Powell’s cleverly-disguised free-kick brought another good save from Cole.

Aside from two fleeting opportunities for McQueen early in the second half – a chip cleared off the line by Callum Reynolds and a shot pulled wide of goal – it was the Shots who dominated.

Nathan Ashmore made a fine double save from Jake Gallagher and Rendell, but the striker was rewarded with his first goal of the season on 67 minutes.

Jim Kellermann’s break forward won a free-kick on the right and, from Adam McDonnell’s excellent driven delivery, Rendell flicked the ball in off the near post with the inside of his heel.

With their deficit doubled, Ebbsfleet rapidly ran out of ideas. Defender Anthony Cook shot wastefully high and wide of the target and Kenny Clark’s rather stilted header bounced over the bar.

United rarely looked capable of beating Cole, let alone rescuing a point against a defence shorn of two key members.

Just four points separate first from 14th place in a congested league table. The National League is already looking remarkably open and unpredictable. A modicum of consistency would see the Shots installed as one of the title favourites.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore; Magri, Clark, Bush; Cook (Weston 83), Payne, Powell (Drury 73), Rance (Mills 65), Coulson; Kedwell, McQueen. Subs (not used): Connors, Miles. Booked: Powell.

Aldershot: Cole; Alexander, Fowler, Reynolds, Arthur; Rowe, Kellermann, Gallagher, McDonnell; McClure, Rendell (Robert 83). Subs (not used): Smith, Wrightman, Bozier, Kirwan. Booked: Kellermann.

Referee: Adam Bromley.

Attendance: 1,402.

• Aldershot make the long journey north to Gateshead this weekend. The Tynesiders are 11th in the table with four wins, three draws and three losses.

• Dover dropped four places to fifth after losing 1-0 at home to Boreham Wood on Tuesday.