Maidenhead United 0 Ebbsfleet United 1 match report: Substitute Dominic Samuel scores winner in National League

Substitute Dominic Samuel’s late winner lifted Ebbsfleet out of the National League relegation zone on Tuesday night.

Samuel had only been on the pitch for nine minutes when he tucked home his third goal in Fleet colours to give Dennis Kutrieb’s a much-needed three points.

With Woking losing at runaway leaders Chesterfield, the Fleet lifted themselves out of the bottom four.

Ebbsfleet made five changes from the side that lost 1-0 at home to Hartlepool on Saturday.

Rakish Bingham made only his second league start since returning from injury, partnering Dominic Poleon for the first time since March.

Also coming in were Mustapha Omagunju - back on loan from Huddersfield following injury - along with Craig Tanner, Omari Sterling-James and Ben Chapman.

The Fleet reverted to their favoured 3-5-2 formation, with Poleon down the middle and they looked a much better side than at the weekend.

That said, despite playing uphill and into a strong wind in the first half, Maidenhead hit the post and bar in the first half, and had an effort cleared off the line.

Ebbsfleet’s Ouss Cisse saw his near-post header saved from a Tanner corner early on before the accomplish Declan Skura carried the ball forward from his own half, and eventually fired in a low shot that forced keeper Craig Ross into action.

Maidenhead’s first attempt at goal came on 22 minutes but Reece Smith’s free-kick from 20 yards sailed harmlessly over the bar.

The Fleet then had a free-kick of their own at the other end, Sterling-James’ right-foot shot coming back off the upright and then Bingham’s shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Maidenhead then started to create chances. Former Ebbsfleet loanee Ashley Nathaniel-George saw his 30-yard right-foot piledriver crash back