Ebbsfleet United manager Josh Wright tells of squad sickness bug after crucial 2-1 National League South victory at Tonbridge Angels

Ebbsfleet overcame the effects of a sickness bug to claim a crucial win at Tonbridge.

Fleet could only name a six-man bench for the Good Friday Kent derby at Longmead.

But early goals from Ben Chapman and Kwesi Appiah set them up for a 2-1 victory, with Tom Leahy’s late reply no more than a consolation.

Fleet moved up to two places to fifth in National League South and are one of three teams locked on 71 points with four games remaining in the race for a play-off spot.

They produced an impressive performance against Tonbridge despite a bug doing the rounds, and hold a three-point cushion over eighth-placed Chesham.

“We’ve had a fair bit of illness,” said Fleet boss Josh Wright. “I won’t deny it, you can obviously see some names missing and only six on the bench. We’ve had something that’s come right through us but the boys have dug deep.”

Wright added: “It hasn’t just been this week, if I’m honest. We had a little bit last week.

“It’s been lingering around, even those that are pushing themselves through it are carrying stuff, but we’ve had something that seemed and sounds a little bit nasty.

“The boys are OK, the boys will be fine, but it’s wiped out quite a few.

“But that’s why you have a squad, I keep saying this, that’s why you build a squad, that’s why you have options and different personnel, and people have to step up.”

Wright was delighted with the performance as Ebbsfleet followed last weekend’s comeback win over Slough with another three points.

They were worthy winners over a Tonbridge side who, like Fleet, had won four of their previous six games and were going for a fifth successive home victory.

“In terms of the performance, I thought we were brilliant,” said Wright.

“We won last week and I didn’t think we