Impressive Ebbsfleet got back to winning ways with victory over Aldershot at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night.

It was a polished display by Dennis Kutrieb’s men, who were worthy of the points after such a dominant display.

The Fleet made five changes from the side beaten by Solihull on Saturday.

Jake Wakely came in for Chris Solly, who missed a large chunk of pre-season. Darren McQueen and Ben Chapman replaced Omari Sterling-James and Greg Cundle on the wing while, Franklin Domi and Billy Clifford got the nod ahead of Shaq Coulthirst and Ouss Cisse.

It was a bright start to the game for Ebbsfleet who nearly won a fourth-minute spot-kick when Coby Rowe tripped Domi right on the edge of the box. He still got a yellow card for his troubles but Luke O’Neill sent the resulting free-kick over the bar.

If the Fleet got an idea of how tough the National League could be at the weekend, there was an early indication that sporting behaviour might be in short supply. Having kicked the ball out with O’Neill down injured, Aldershot promptly returned the ball by giving the Fleet a throw-in to defend deep in their own half.

Referee James Durkin spoke to both managers early on as a heated Aldershot boss Tommy WIddrington was pointing towards his opposite number. It was an interesting first half from the official. He pulled the Fleet back for taking a free-kick with a moving ball but allowed Aldershot to carry on after the same offence 20 seconds later. Then he penalised the home side for taking a throw-in from the wrong place, only for Aldershot to take it from exactly the same place.

A wayward pass in defence from the visitors nearly gifted Fleet a goal on 19 minutes but Dominic Poleon fed Domi, who was crowded out by the retreating Cian Harries.

With an extra body in midfield, the Fleet were able to dictate play much better, Clifford was outstanding in the first half with his range of passing and ability to create space in tight areas.

Chapman went into the book for blocking an Aldershot throw being taken shortly after but the goal that the Fleet deserved for their efforts arrived just past the half-hour.

Poleon ran at the Aldershot defence and played the ball off just before he was blocked - not for the first time - by Rowe. That allowed Domi to get into the area and cut inside on his left foot before unleashing an absolute rocket into the top corner.

It took Aldershot 36 minutes to have an attempt at goal but former Maidstone striker Jack Barham was unable to get any power behind his effort after strike partner Lorent Tolaj’s knockdown and keeper Mark Cousins made a great save.

Barham was not the only player in Aldershot colours, with former Gills midfielder Stuart O’Keefe wearing the captain’s armband for the visitors.

Poleon dragged a right-foot shot wide from the edge of the box before he combined with the impressive Domi to set up Clifford, whose finish went high over the target.

Tyler Frost shot straight at Cousins in the fifth minute of stoppages but it was a first half dominated by Ebbsfleet.

O’Keefe was booked for dissent early in the second half, following team-mate Harries into the notepad for a similar offence just before half-time.

A well-worked Fleet corner found Poleon in the box on 50 minutes but his shot was blocked after he got the ball out from under his feet.

Despite Ebbsfleet’s dominance a one-goal lead is always slender and they nearly gave it up cheaply with a poor pass in defence. However, as Tolaj twisted and turned, he was unable to get past Wakely who made an excellent interception.

The referee got the wrath of the Aldershot players just after the hour when he stopped a promising move for the visitors to book Wakely for a foul.

The Fleet nearly got Poleon in behind but he was thwarted by the last defender. Poleon still set up Domi but his shot lacked any power.

Domi then returned the favour but Poleon’s right-foot drive was beaten behind for a corner by keeper Jordi van Stappershoef.

Aldershot clearly didn’t take the warning though as that was the second time in a matter of minutes that Poleon had got behind their defence with his pace.

When it happened again on 68 minutes, Poleon made them pay with a clinical right-foot finish inside the near post to double Ebbsfleet’s lead.

Haji Mnoga headed wide from a free-kick three minutes later but thereafter Aldershot offered very little until three minutes from time when substitute Ryan Glover fired against the inside of the post after Fleet were nearly caught out on the break.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins. O’Neill, Wakely, Martin, McQueen (Odokonyero 83mins), Wright, Clifford (Tanner 70mins), Domi, Chapman (Cundle 64mins), Edser, Poleon. Subs not used: Cisse, Coulthirst.

Aldershot: Van Stappershoef, Mnoga, Harfield, Harries, Rowe (Burnett 84mins), Widdrington (Glover 82mins), O’Keefe, Frost, Tolaj, Jones, Barham (Stokes 73mins). Subs not used: Scott, Mullins.

Referee: James Durkin.

Attendance: 1,561 (321 away).