A hat-trick from Jai Reason sent Ebbsfleet tumbling to a 3-1 defeat at Eastleigh on Saturday.

The striker put the Spitfires ahead from the penalty spot on 20 minutes after he'd been fouled by Fleet skipper Paul Lorraine.

Ebbsfleet rallied and after Billy Bricknell had tested former Gillingham goalkeeper Ross Flitney, a cross from Bricknell was headed wide by Michael West.

And the visitors were level seven minutes into the second-half when Bricknell collected Anthony Cook's flick-on and chipped Flitney to make it 1-1.

But Steve Brown's side were reduced to 10 men, just eight minutes later, when Chris Sessegnon (pictured) handled on the goal line. Reason tucked away his second penalty to restore Eastleigh's lead.

The result was put beyond doubt on 73 minutes when Reason ran down the left and curled a fine shot beyond Preston Edwards to complete his treble.

Ebbsfleet remain third in the Skrill South but they are now eight points behind Eastleigh, in second, and just one ahead of fourth-placed Sutton, who have a game in hand.

They visit Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday night.