DESPITE a valiant second half comeback, Ebbsfleet United went down to a 3-2 defeat against Kent rivals Gillingham at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges and took an early lead before Ebbsfleet could settle.

A long throw into the box saw former Welling striker Danny Kedwell place a glancing header beyond Preston Edwards after four minutes.

Kedwell had another chance 14 minutes later but this time his header was off target, although the Gills did double their lead on the half hour.

Joe Martin’s cross was met by Chris Whelpdale and his miss-hit effort fell to Ben Strevens, who directed the ball past Edwards with his chest.

The Fleet had barely restarted the game when they nearly conceded a third after Charlie Lee saw his header brilliantly saved by Edwards.

Lee was denied yet again just moments later when his audacious chip from the edge of the box was denied by the finger tips of Edwards.

The second half was a different game completely as the home side came out fighting and pulled one back within six minutes of the restart.

Tom Phipp played through Moses Ashikodi who cut inside from the left hand side, drove into the box and curled a shot past Stuart Nelson.

Liam Enver-Marum, back at Stonebridge Road after a bried trial with Stevenage, saw his shot from the edge of the box hit the woodwork.

But despite heavy Fleet pressure, it was the away side who extended their lead when Kedwell directed Martin’s low cross goalwards and past the helpless Edwards.

Ebbsfleet were denied by the woodwork yet again when Neil Barrett’s sweetly struck half volley beat Nelson but hit the wrong side of the post.

With just two minutes left, Ashikodi grabbed his second with a composed and elegant finish, lobbing Nelson from 20 yards.

But Ashikodi’s double proved to be just a consolation as Gillingham went away with the win.

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Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Stone (McNeill 78), Howe (Blake 57), Barrett, Walsh, Ada, Enver-Marum, Bellamy, Elder (Williams 88), Ashikodi, Phipp (Azeez 78). Subs not used: Greenhalgh, Folkes, Wilson, Secq, Akinde. Att: 915.