Stefan Payne was sent off for the second time in his short Ebbsfleet career at Kenilworth Road on Thursday night.

The former Gillingham forward has already served a three-game ban this month for the straight red card he received at Braintree on Easter Monday.

Payne (pictured) was dismissed for a lunge on Luton’s Jake Howells nine minutes before half-time, with the home side leading through an Alex Wall header.

Nathan Elder missed two chances for Ebbsfleet in the second period as Liam Daish’s relegated side refused to roll over.

However, they conceded a second goal on 77 minutes when Wall latched onto Jake Goodman’s through-ball to slot home his second of the evening.

The Fleet will depart Blue Square Bet Premier in somewhat surreal circumstances when they meet Gateshead at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is 5.15pm.