Ebbsfleet United 0 Dorking Wanderers 1 match report: Substitute Harry Ottaway scores winner in National League

Ebbsfleet’s winless run extended to five National League games on Tuesday night after Dorking bagged all three points at Stonebridge Road.

It was the first meeting between the two clubs since the National League South Play-off FInal in 2022, which was won by Dorking in dramatic style.

While this game didn’t have anywhere near the twists and turns of that day, the same team were victorious again.

The first half was a tight affair with few chances at either end.

The Fleet, fresh from a 6-1 hammering at Altrincham on Saturday, made clear their first task was to keep it tight defensively, boss Dennis Kutrieb favouring a back four to close up potential gaps.

It seemed to work, aside from an early Tom Blair strike at goal which keeper Mark Cousins comfortably saved.

At the other end, good work down the left by Toby Edser ended with a half-chance at the near post which was prodded wide by Ouss Cisse, who was back in a more familiar midfield role.

Ben Chapman nearly had a clear run on goal but Dorking defender Joe Cook made a vital interception to cut out Haydn Hollis’ precise ball out of defence.

Hollis was getting the better of his battle against Jason Prior, although when the Dorking striker did get a key header, he set up James McShane who hooked his shot wide from the edge of the box, when he probably had more time than he realised.

Fleet employed David Amoo down the right and he had the beating of the visitors with his pace. Dorking never cleared the ball after good work by Amoo, the ball eventually falling to Chapman, whose snapshot was saved by keeper Harrison Male.

The best chance of the first half arrived in the second minute of stoppages. The speedy Amoo again progressed down the right wing and delivered a perfect