EBBSFLEET United christened the newly crowned Liam Daish Stand with a 1-0 victory against League One Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon at Stonebridge Road.

The visitors fielded a strong starting XI on a day celebrating Daish’s tenure as the longest serving Fleet manager.

Both sides cancelled each other out in the opening exchanges with the first opportunity coming just before the quarter hour mark when former Premier League striker Kevin Lisbie forced a save from Preston Edwards with his diving header.

The home side replied immediately but Moses Ashikodi saw his shot saved from a tight angle.

Lisbie had another chance on 30 minutes but dragged his shot wide from 15 yards.

Jimmy Smith then had a golden opportunity for the O’s to take the lead but Patrick Ada was on the line to block the shot.

Moments before the half-time whistle Ebbsfleet thought they had gone in front but Nathan Elder’s powerful header was scrambled clear of the goalmouth.

The restart saw the home side grow in confidence and in the 66th minute the deadlock was broken giving Ebbsfleet a well deserved lead.

Elder used his strength to get behind the back line to meet a long ball and then composed himself to place a shot beyond keeper Jamie Jones with a fine finish.

A long ball from Orient, similar to the one which produced Elder’s goal, found visiting striker Afe Obafemi but he blazed his effort high and over from the edge of the box.

Orient pressed late on and forced Edwards to make two good saves in quick succession.

Joe Turner was first denied from 20 yards when Edwards tipped his effort round the post and from the resulting corner the Fleet stopper was brought into action again by denying a Sean Grace header.

In the closing moments the Fleet looked to put the game to bed but Tom Phipp’s volley from the edge of the box was diverted over the bar by Moses Odubajo Having served the Northfleet-based club for seven years, this was a day to remember for manager Daish on and off the pitch.

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Ebbsfleet United: Edwards; Stone, Barrett (Wilson 75), Ada, Howe, Hudson (Azeez 57), Walsh (Lorraine 46), Bellamy (Phipp 39), Greenhalgh (Blake 57), Elder (Williams 71), Ashikodi (Akinde 79). Subs not used: McNeil, Folks. Att: 617.