Ebbsfleet United played for almost the entire game with 10-men but survived a late fightback to secure a 3-2 win over AFC Telford on Saturday.

Paul Lorraine saw red after an off-the-ball incident left Telford forward Kyle Perry in a heap in the centre circle on 17 minutes but just 10 minutes later the hosts were ahead when Michael West thundered a free-kick low past Telford keeper Ryan Young from well outside the box.

Fleet doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Liam Ever-Marum danced through some sloppy visiting defending before tucking past Young at the near post.

Tom Phipp was forced off with injury at the break after another incident involving Perry - who was himself substituted by the Telford bench soon after.

Telford improved after the break but it looked to be game over shortly after the hour mark when West sent Enver-Marum through to fire his second, and Fleet's third.

However Adam Proudlock nipped in between Fleet keeper Lance Cronin and Ross Smith on 66 minutes to hand the visitors a lifeline.

AFC set up a tense finale 16 minutes from time when the Ebbsfleet defence stood off Ryan Brooke who was able to turn and slot the second past Cronin.

West had two chances to seal the win with a fourth at the other end, only to pull both shots wide of the post.

Despite the visitors piling forward late-on, Fleet held out to take the three points and leave Telford just four points clear of the final remaining relegation place while Fleet are 14th, already safe in Blue Square Bet Premier.