Ebbsfleet are probably still wondering how they left Newport empty-handed after pushing the Blue Square Bet Premier leaders all the way on Tuesday night.

Liam Daish’s Fleet created a series of chances as they looked to cancel out Ismail Yakubu’s 30th-minute opener.

Tom Phipp fired over following a corner as Fleet made a bright start, with keeper Preston Edwards, pictured, a spectator for the opening 20 minutes before he kept out a Ben Swallow strike.

Poor defending at a corner gifted County what turned out to be the winner as Yakubu was given far too much time and space to pick his spot.

If Newport expected Fleet to cave in, they were in for a surprise.

Nathan Elder had a golden chance to level from a Louie Soares free-kick on the stroke of half-time but headed straight at keeper Lenny Pidgeley.

Fleet pressed after the break and Daish introduced Liam Enver-Marum and former County man Phil Walsh, but Neil Barrett, Walsh and striker Moses Ashikodi all sent headers wide.