by Steve Tervet

A nightmare start failed to deter Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night as they roared back from a goal down to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Just 52 seconds were on the clock when Anthony Elding pounced to put the visitors in front, but the Fleet rallied and they should have levelled moments later when Ricky Shakes headed Joe Howe’s inviting cross over the bar.

The equaliser did arrive on 14 minutes when Michael West’s (pictured) deflected free-kick wrong-footed Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown.

Frankie Artus twice shot wide for the Mariners as play switched from end to end, but it was Ebbsfleet who struck next. After West’s cross-shot had fizzed across the face of goal, Tom Phipp delivered the ball back into the box and Shakes rose at the back post to force his header over the line.

Both sides had chances after the interval and the Fleet rather rode their luck until Calum Willock made the points safe, 15 minutes from time. McKeown’s clumsy attempt to gather Craig Stone’s mis-hit cross knocked the ball into the path of Willock, who dispatched a thumping half-volley into the net from the edge of the area.

To what do you attribute Fleet's recent upturn in form? Have your say below.