LIAM Daish walked to the centre circle and punched the air moments after Ebbsfleet claimed a surprise win over promotion chasing York City.

The result was especially sweet for the Fleet boss as relegation rivals Barrow and Gateshead were both beaten.

Gateshead lost 3-2 at Hayes and Yeading, while Barrow were defeated 2-0 at Kettering and with Ebbsfleet playing both teams over the next two weeks, they can put daylight between them and the teams scrapping for Blue Square Premier survival.

Fleet secured the win over City when Moses Ashikodi calmly slotted past Michael Ingram to hand the Fleet three unlikely points.

But the victory came at a cost as Clint Easton sustained a suspected depressed eye socket and cheek bone after contesting a header with Michael Rankine.

The defender had to be substituted and although his replacement Jordan Collins played well, Daish will be hoping he can rely on the experience the 32-year-old Easton provides for the testing trip to Gateshead on Saturday.

Daish, who was celebrating five years as Fleet boss, said: “Clint’s in a bad way. He’s got a depressed eye socket and cheek bone.

“Some of the lads said it looked like a bit of an elbow. I’m not going to make comment on that because I didn’t see it.

“It wouldn’t be fair on the player that went up with him.

“I think we had to stand up physically and we did that today. I thought the two centre halves were excellent.”

He hailed Collins’ performance as the inexperienced 20-year-old defender stepped into the breach following a lengthy absence from the first team.

Dean Pooley also had to be withdrawn to receive treatment after the defender was elbowed in the face by City striker Richard Brodie.

The Gateshead-born front man endured a frustrating afternoon and failed to add to his impressive haul of 20 league goals, which is currently the best in league.

Brodie was immediately sent off by referee Marvin Thompson and was booed by Fleet fans as he left the pitch.

Pooley left the field with blood dripping from his head but was given two stitches and was returned to the action within ten minutes.

Daish said: “I thought ‘you can’t do that’ but it was one of those things.

“I think Brodie got frustrated really in the lack of change he got out of Darius Charles and Leon Crooks.

“Rankine is as good as any player in this league and Brodie, on 29 goals in all competitions, they didn’t give him a sniff.

“They were strong with him and I think that was borne out of frustration.”

Ebbsfleet will no doubt head to Gateshead on Saturday in good heart having won four out of theirlast five league matches.

Daish said: “We’re fighting like cats and dogs to stay in this league and I think you can see the determination of the players that they want to succeed.”