Ebbsfleet United 4 Dulwich Hamlet 2 match report: Dominic Poleon scores four goals for National League South leaders

Dominic Poleon took his tally for a memorable season to 34 after scoring four times to sink 10-man Dulwich on Saturday.

The Ebbsfleet striker fired his side 18 points clear at the top of National League South with second-placed Dartford not in action after their trip to Concord was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

It took Poleon just three minutes to make his mark. Greg Cundle, who was back to his best in the first half, crossed from the left and Poleon had the freedom of the penalty area to slam home past keeper Charlie Grainger.

The lead should have been doubled immediately but Shaq Coulthirst – one of four changes from the team that drew at Tonbridge last weekend – overhit a simple pass to send Cundle clean through.

Dulwich were back on level terms after just six minutes, George Porter pulling the ball back for Joe Felix to confidently place home.

But parity lasted just three minutes in a whirlwind start, which was probably far too open for either manager’s liking, as Grainger flapped at Wright’s corner and Poleon turned in the loose ball.

The offside flag denied Dulwich an equaliser and, for all their shortcomings in defence, the visitors were certainly not shy in pushing players in attack. Danny Mills put himself up against Chris Solly and won most things in the air, giving Dulwich a good platform to try and exploit the Fleet rearguard.

They should have levelled as Felix’s lob was well saved by Cousins and then Josh Fawole headed wide.

Quade Taylor was fortunate not to collect a second yellow card nine minutes before the break. Already in the book, he cynically took out Cundle on the edge of the area but somehow got away with just a talking to from referee Matthew Norton.

Luke O’Neill produced a good save from