Ebbsfleet 3 AFC Telford 2

AFC Telford United went down 3-2 at Ebbsfleet United despite a spirited fightback in the last half-hour.

Goals from substitutes Adam Proudlock and Ryan Brooke gave Andy Sinton's men a fighting chance but the damage was done in a catastrophic opening hour.

The hosts had skipper Paul Lorraine sent off when he appeared to elbow Bucks striker Kyle Perry after 17 minutes but AFC Telford couldn't capitalise on the man advantage and fell behind in the 25th minute when Michael West scored from a freekick.

The hosts increased their advantage just before the break with a goal from the lively Liam Enver-Marum.

The former Forest Green and Crawley striker scored his second and Ebbsfleet's third just before the hour and they appeared to be on easy street.

Sinton's substitutes though, were determined to have a say.

First, Adam Proudlock reduced the arrears when he rounded Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Lance Cronin to slide home and then Ryan Brooke thundered home a finish with a quarter of an hour left.

But it proved too little, too late for the Bucks and they will be glad that Hayes and Yeading lost 3-1 at home to Mansfield Town so they remain four points clear of the dreaded drop.