Ebbsfleet's first game since New Year's Day ended in a home defeat as they went down 2-1 to Altrincham in Blue Square Premier on Saturday.

Substitute Scott Ginty scored the Fleet's goal just after the hour mark - but it proved no more than a consolation as Liam Daish's side were already 2-0 down after a lacklustre display.

The hosts fell behind on 14 minutes when Chris Senior took the ball down in the box and, despite being surrounded by defenders, managed to find space to squeeze a shot low past Lance Cronin.

Altrincham continued to dominate and went further ahead seven minutes into the second half. Matt Doughty's corner caused havoc in the Fleet box and a goalmouth scramble ended with defender Greg Young bundling home from close range.

Ebbsfleet improved slightly after the introduction of Ginty and Darius Charles from the bench and it was the former who pulled one back in the 62nd minute, firing into the bottom corner after being found by Clint Easton.

Fleet: Cronin, Salmon (Charles 56), Pooley, Crooks, Easton, Stavrinou, Holmes, Bailey (Welsh 78), West, Shakes, Vieira (Ginty 56). Subs not used: Heeroo, Wills.