MOSES Ashikodi’s strike ripped up the form book by handing Ebbsfleet a surprise win over high flying York City.

Few before Saturday’s game would have tipped Fleet to beat third placed City or that current top scorer Richard Brodie, who has amassed an impressive haul of 20 league goals so far this term, would be nullified.

Especially considering 19th placed Ebbsfleet have the second worst home record in the Blue Square Premier.

But that is exactly what Fleet did when Ashikodi slotted a well placed shot past Michael Ingram on 52 minutes to send Stonebridge Road into raptures.

However, the win came at a price for Fleet as two players sustained injuries in the pursuit of a vital victory.

Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish was forced into a substituting Clint Easton as early as seven minutes when the defender hobbled off after a clash of heads with Michael Rankine.

The 32-year-old sustained a suspected depressed eye socket and cheek bone making him a doubt for Fleet’s trip to Gateshead on Saturday.

He was replaced by 20-year-old Jordan Collins who slotted in well to a defence which was superbly marshalled by Darius Charles.

Dean Pooley also visited the treatment table after Brodie elbowed the defender in the face in an unsavoury challenge.

Referee Marvin Thompson immediately showed the forward a red card and the Fleet fans booed the Gateshead-born striker as he left the pitch.

However, Ebbsfleet were also momentarily playing with ten men as Pooley also departed with blood dripping from his head but within minutes the defender re-entered the fray.

York turned to two familiar faces for Fleet fans to win the game with Michael Gash and Neil Barrett, who had both left Ebbsfleet for City last summer, coming on after 63 minutes.

But it was to no avail as Ebbsfleet hung on to claim an unlikely win.

Ebbsfleet: Cronin, Pooley, Crooks, Charles, Easton (Collins 7), Heeroo, Holmes, Bailey, Shakes, Vieira, Ashikodi (Ginty 84). Subs not used: West, Welsh, Wills. Att: 1,226.