A second goal is fired home by Josh Scott Picture: Andy Payton

by Steve Tervet

Josh Scott scored twice as basement boys Ebbsfleet took three points off Blue Square Bet Premier fellow strugglers Gateshead to end their nine-game winless streak on Saturday.

The striker, on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge, opened the scoring inside three minutes and then put the Fleet back in front seven minutes before half-time after Josh Gillies had equalised for the Heed.

Ebbsfleet went 3-1 up after 66 minutes through Liam Enver-Marum and the visitors rarely looked like getting themselves back into the game for a second time.

With the four sides immediately above them all losing, the Fleet moved to within four points of safety while Gateshead are now hovering two points above the drop zone.

Fleet manager Liam Daish said: “It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been through a lot and it’s been a tough month, so it was good to get back winning ways. I thought the lads deserved it.

“I thought Josh (Scott) and Stefan (Payne) were excellent. We got hold of the ball up front, which made a big difference. Josh took his goals well and Stef was always a pain for Gateshead. They really gave us something different.”