Ebbsfleet blew the chance to close the gap to safety in the National League on Saturday.

The Fleet were in control against Sutton at half-time, thanks to Marvel Ekpiteta’s goal, but they lost their way in the second half.

Ebbsfleet got off to a dream start when some static Sutton defending and hesitation from keeper Nik Tzanev saw Ekpiteta meet Adam Mekki’s seventh-minute free-kick to head the hosts in front.

Ekpiteta nearly doubled his lead midway through the half but his far-post header from a dangerous Jamie Grimes cross was deflected just wide.

Sutton, without a goal since New Year’s Day, saw Fleet keeper David Gregory gather captain Harry Beautyman’s 20-yard drive at the second attempt.

Gregory then pushed away David Ajboye’s low drive after the ball fell kindly to him from Kyel Reid’s right-wing corner.

Josh Umerah created space for himself on the edge of the Sutton penalty area and sent a dipping shot narrowly over the bar.

Fleet’s physicality was too much for Sutton at times, while Mekki stood out in the middle of the park despite the hosts kicking into the wind in the first 45 minutes.

The bobbly playing surface was not helping the visitors but they needed to play the condition better - something Kevin Watson’s men had mastered.

It took Sutton just five second-half minutes to get back on level terms. David Ajiboye got the better of Grimes and his right-foot cross was nodded in from close range by Beautyman.

The visitors were doing all the things that got Fleet on top in the first half but the hosts managed to weather the storm.

Midway through the second half, Obileye shot over and then his near-post shot was well held by keeper Tzanev as Fleet tried to restore their lead.

Sutton nearly grabbed the winner with nine minutes left when Beautyman played in Tommy Wright. He beat keeper David Gregory but Grimes was back to clear off the line just in time for Fleet.

But in truth the game was poor at times, with players often struggling to hold their footing or control the ball on a testing playing surface, not helped by the wind at times.

Ebbsfleet: Gregory, Wilson, Ekpiteta, Obileye, Grimes, Sutherland, Mekki, McGlashan (Goddard 83mins), Adeloye, Umerah (Blackman 72mins), Ugwu. Subs not used: Palmer, King, Egan.

Sutton: Tzanev, Barden, Goodliffe, John, Davis, Bugiel (Dundas 79mins), Beautyman, Ajiboye (Bolinwara 87mins), Wright (Kealy 90mins), Wyatt, Reid. Subs not used: Rowe, Milsom.

Attendance: 979.