Ebbsfleet United slipped to a disappointing 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Mansfield Town in Blue Square Bet Premier on Saturday.

The damage was done in the opening 45 minutes at Stonebridge Road, with the visitors beginning the brighter of the two sides.

Ben Hutchinson fired narrowly wide inside 30 seconds while Paul Lorraine escaped after appearing to block a Stags cross with a hand.

Fleet began to find their feet with Liam Enver-Marum firing in a low shot which was inadvertantly blocked by Callum Willock (pictured) on 10 minutes and moments later Willock almost connected with a low cross from Enver-Marum, who saw another shot deflected wide of Alan Marriott's post.

But Fleet suffered a blow when Matt Green turned in his 18th goal of the season after a route-one ball from Marriott was flicked into his path to fire low past Preston Edwards.

Nathaniel Pinney teed-up Enver-Marum who saw a shot saved by Marriott and Tom Phipp saw a shot saved by Marriott but Edwards needed to make two good saves to keep Town out at the other end.

He was eventually beaten for a second time when Gary Roberts fired low into the corner from just outside the box seven minutes before half-time.

Willock went close with a long-range effort moments before the interval and afterwards Marriott saved a thunderous free-kick from Michael West.

Enver-Marum went close to pulling one back on more than one occasion but Ross Dyer headed wide of an open goal from six yards for the visitors and then hit the post moments later.

There was still time for Roberts to tuck in his second at the second attempt in stoppage-time after Edwards had blocked his initial volley.

Fleet's first home defeat in six saw them remain in 14th place.

Do you think 3-0 flattered the visitors? Have your say below.