Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb reacts to 2-0 National League South win over Havant & Waterlooville

Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb described his team’s victory over promotion rivals Havant as “massive”.

The Fleet moved eight points clear in National League South after a 2-0 win over Havant, who now trail them by 13 points with a game in hand.

It’s an imposing gap and while the league title won’t be won or lost at the start of February, it’s another big step towards Ebbsfleet becoming champions.

“Massive win,” stated Kutrieb, who praised his team’s defensive display. “It was very important as they are up in the table with us.

“We’ve put a few more points between us and them which is important as you never know what the season will bring. It just gives us a little cushion and make sure they are not too close.

“We said before the game that they have good individual players one v one that can hurt you, and they had a good few players on the pitch.

“It was outstanding defending from our back three and on top of it we had a very good goalkeeper.

“I’m interested to see how many shots it was but it was a great display from a defensive point of view.

“I would never take it for granted that you don’t concede in two games against Havant who are second or third in the table.”

Ebbsfleet striker Rakish Bingham saw his penalty well saved by on-loan Chelsea keeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe early in the second half.

It meant Fleet had a slender lead until the 89th minute when substitute Franklin Domi added a second goal to Dominic Poleon’s first-half opener.

“You can’t miss a penalty normally but that’s what happened,” said Kutrieb.

“I’m delighted and relieved for the boys that there was no equaliser because after a missed penalty if you still win a game then it doesn’t feel too bad.

“First half, we had Dom one-on-one against the goalkeeper