Ebbsfleet United 0 Fleetwood Town 1 FA Cup Second Round match report: Live ITV game settled by Gerard Garner's second-half goal

One moment of quality proved decisive as Ebbsfleet’s FA Cup journey was ended by League 1 Fleetwood in Sunday’s televised Second Round tie.

A sublime second-half strike by Gerard Garner ensured there was no upset at Stonebridge Road despite the Fleet putting in a creditable display, and creating the better first-half chances.

The morning rain held off and the mandatory pitch covers ensured an excellent playing surface. Stonebridge Road was full of television cameras as well as a bumper crowd of 2,960. Tin foil FA Cup in tow, the supporters provided an extra buzz to proceedings, hopeful that the National League South title favourites could bridge the gap to League 1 opponents.

Fleetwood settled into the occasion immediately, Garner firing a low left-foot shot against the upright inside five minutes. It was to prove their best opening of the half as thereafter they seemed to pick out Fleet keeper Mark Cousins from every crossing angle.

Naturally the Fleet found it tough to progress up the field than during their league matches, given they were playing a side three divisions above them. But that didn’t stop the likes of Greg Cundle and Toby Edser finding pockets of space and asking plenty of questions of their illustrious visitors.

Leading scorer Dominic Poleon had Ebbsfleet’s best openings. The 14-goal striker, who netted in the previous round win against FC Halifax, served early notice to Fleetwood when his deflected shot was comfortable for keeper Jakub Stolarczyk to gather.

Strike partner Rakish Bingham’s clever pass played Poleon in behind the last man just before the half-hour and he rounded the keeper, only to send the ball wide of the upright when he looked certain to score.

Bingham and Poleon combined again four