Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb on 3-2 win at Eastbourne Borough in National League South

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb felt his side’s spirit led them to a comeback win at Eastbourne on Tuesday night.

The Fleet are the early pacesetters in National League South after a third straight win, twice coming from behind before winning with only 10 men after keeper Chris Haigh came off injured with 12 minutes left.

Luke O’Neill’s first Ebbsfleet goal, a header five minutes from time, ensured they preserved their 100 per cent record.

Victory certainly came at a cost for the Fleet with Haigh suffering a broken ankle. He has already undergone surgery but faces a long spell on the sidelines.

“A big compliment to the group,” said Kutrieb. “We needed a wake-up call when Haighy got injured.

“We went down to 10 men because obviously I got punished when I made the third substitution too early, but I had the feeling I had to do it. As a manager always in your mind you think if something happens then you can’t react any more.

“Maybe that’s what the boys needed after (the injury to) Haighy, to turn up and play what they are able to play.

“I told the boys when Haighy can’t play anymore and someone needs to go in goal that now is their time to turn up and show they are able to play.

“With this point I was sure they would get something out of the game. I could see there was a spirit straight away. That’s exactly what we needed, it was not a good game from us.

“If you go to 10 and then nine men, one clearance on the line so you can say it was a lucky win because they deserved to get something out of the game. But from our point of view I couldn’t care less as we needed the three points and that’s the only thing that matters.”

Ebbsfleet, who had Christian N’Guessan dismissed for a second yellow card in stoppage time, finished the