A single goal from Reece Prestedge early in the second half was enough to see Bromley return to the top of the table at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday evening.

Before Ebbsfleet United’s largest gate of the season of 1,227, the home side started strongly with Danny Kedwell going narrowly wide in the opening minutes when Bromley failed to deal with ex-Hayes Lane player Brendan Kiernan’s corner.

The opening exchanges were rather cagey, with both sides forcing a couple of corners each. 

But gradually Bromley gained the upper hand to impose themselves on the game. 

Ben May saw his effort deflected and Jack Holland’s shot on the turn landed high in the stand, while Louis Dennis’ snapshot from 30 yards was just too high.

Ebbsfleet might have scored on 27 minutes when Kiernan fastened onto Sean Shields cross-field pass, only to shoot straight at Alan Julian.

The visitors ended the first half strongly as Dennis shot straight at Preston Edwards, following good work from Ugo Udoji.

Bradley Goldberg drove wide of the far post after rounding his marker, while Prestedge set up Anthony Cook, whose back heel beat Edwards but went just the wrong side of the upright.

The second period continued in similar vein before Bromley gained the all-important goal, and the three points, on 58 minutes.

Bromley lost possession from a throw in deep in Ebbsfleet territory, only for Kenny Clark’s attempted clearance across the face of his own area to land at the feet of Prestedge. 

The Bromley midfielder reacted quickly to fire a low shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards. 

From that point on there was only going to be one winner, as Ebbsfleet became more and more frustrated, which was not helped by some strange decisions from the referee, mainly in Bromley’s favour.

Joe Anderson’s free-kick was saved at the second attempt by Edwards after a two-footed tackle on Danny Waldren by Theo Lewis, and the keeper denied Goldberg moments later.

Kiernan did manage a looping header that landed on top of the net in the last minute, but in truth Bromley deserved their 10th away victory of the season.

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Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Clark, Jefford, T Lewis, Langmead, Bonner, Shields, S Lewis, Kedwell, Cunnington, Kiernan. Subs not used: Johnson, Turner, Gower, Pooley, Day.

Bromley: Julian, Udoji, Anderson, Waldren, Swaine, Holland, Cook, Prestedge, May (Ademola 85), Goldberg, Dennis (Fuseini 85). Subs not used: McNaughton, Rodgers, Slabber. Att: 1,227.