Dover's Adam Birchall looks to break through the Ebbsfleet defence. Picture: Paul Amos

Ebbsfleet reignited their automatic promotion hopes with a 3-1 win over fellow chasers and Kent rivals Dover Athletic at the Crabble.

Liam Daish's side were forced to come from behind, but never looked back once goals from Tom Phipp, Ashley Carew and Calum Willock set them on their way.

Adam Birchall continued his red hot form as he was gifted a chance to put Dover ahead after just five minutes. He latched on to a misplaced back pass from Dean Pooley to round an onrushing Preston Edwards and slot home.

But, the home side's lead lasted just six minutes as Ebbsfleet mounted an immediate response. Great work and a whipped in cross down the right hand side from Connor Okus saw Tom Phipp dive in to head home from five yards.

Seven minutes later, the turn around was complete. Ashley Carew stood over a free kick from 20 yards out and Dover keeper Ross Flitney was unable to get across to stop the visitors taking the lead after just 18 minutes.

A fired-up Dover side set about mounting a fight back after the break, but found their task a lot harder on 55 minutes. Tom Phipp's looping cross was headed over Ross Flitney by Calum Willock to extend Ebbsfleet's lead.

That proved enough to kill off any comeback and Ebbsfleet comfortably saw out the rest of the game with little alarm.

A frustrating result for Dover, who continue to stutter at home, but the result means Ebbsfleet get their away form back on track climb to fifth in the table. Dover remain eigth.