Ebbsfleet United 1 AFC Fylde 0 National League match report: Alex Lankshear scores to give Josh Wright first league win as manager

Ebbsfleet manager Josh Wright recorded his first win in charge at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Alex Lankshear’s goal early in the second half was enough to see them beat relegation-threatened AFC Fylde.

It was a first win since September for the Fleet - a run of 28 games - and a first league success for Wright, who has been in charge since December.

Ebbsfleet made three changes from the side beaten at Solihull Moors last weekend.

The suspended Toby Edser missed out along with Tom Dallison and Dominic Samuel, with Franklin Domi, Alex Aoraha and Luke O’Neill all returning.

There was also a first appearance on the bench for Dominic Poleon since he was injured against West Ham under-21s at the start of January.

Fylde midfielder Nick Haughton sent a fierce 30-yard free-kick narrowly over the bar inside the first four minutes.

Ebbsfleet’s first opening saw a cross from the right diverted wide at the near post, Ben Chapman appealed for a corner but the referee felt the last touch came off the Fleet man.

Owen Evans shot over for the visitors before George Moncur’s low effort at the other end forced keeper Ben Winterbottom into action.

Ebbsfleet were dealt a blow just past the half-hour when Lewis Page suffered another injury blow. The Fleet left-sided defender immediately went down after making a clearance and was replaced by Josh Passley.

Moments later, Alex Lankshear tussled with Ashley Boatswain near the halfway line and went down in agony. Fortunately, he was able to continue after lengthy treatment.

Domi headed over a Moncur cross and Moncur then saw his shot deflected wide for a corner as neither team were able to break the deadlock in the first half.

Ebbsfleet started the second half brightly and Domi’s brilliant touch