Boss Liam Daish hailed Ebbsfleet United's Blue Square Bet South play-off semi-final first leg triumph over Chelmsford City as "our best performance of the season."

Two goals apiece by Michael West and Ricky Shakes (pictured) capped a great night for Fleet who won at Melbourne Park for the second time season.

Daish said: "It was a great night for the club, and a great result, and I couldn't ask any more from my players. I thought they were excellent from start to finish. People might say the tie is over but, to me, it's only half-time and there is still a bit of work do.

"We have given ourselves a great platform and a great chance of getting to the final. I think it is our best performance of the season because of the occasion, away from home against a side who beat us 3-1 at our place.

West tucked away the first after 21 minutes punishing some slack home defending. He doubled the lead four minutes later with another close-range finish after Shakes' cross had beem blocked.

Chelmsford then pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, with Ricky Modeste heading in a long throw.

Derek Duncan set-up the third for Shakes, who then got his second of the night in stoppage time by making the most of a defensive blunder to run on and finish in front of delighted travelling fans.