Ebbsfleet turned in their best performance of the season to stun title rivals Sutton on Saturday.

The home side soaked up early pressure and then struck twice in quick succession, through Anthony Cook and Billy Bricknell, to go into half-time with a 2-0 lead.

Bricknell struck again in the second period to round off a result which firmly underlined Ebbsfleet's title credentials in Vanarama Conference South.

Goalkeeper Brandon Hall made his full league debut for the Fleet, with Preston Edwards dropped to the bench. Hall had impressed at Hayes & Yeading a week earlier after Edwards was sent off for handling outside his penalty area. The other change to Steve Brown's starting line-up saw captain Daryl McMahon return after suspension, with injury ruling out Alex Osborn.

For Sutton, Ricky Wellard replaced the suspended Glen Southam and Dale Binns came in for Jessy Reindorf.

The visitors bossed possession in the first 20 minutes but the best chance fell to Ebbsfleet. Matt Johnson, playing on the right of midfield, dug out a fantastic cross which Charlie Sheringham headed squarely against the crossbar.

At the other end, former Gillingham defender Jack Evans cut in from the right and dragged a left-footed shot wide before Anthony Cook did likewise for the hosts.

It had been a tight game up to that point but then Ebbsfleet struck twice in four minutes.

The opening goal, midway through the first half, was just reward for a wonderful team move which saw Johnson's clever flick send Joe Howe haring into the box. His pull-back reached Bricknell and although the striker didn't connect properly, the ball looped up invitingly for Cook, who powered a volley into the Sutton net.

Johnson looked terrific in his new position and he had a hand - or two - in the second Fleet goal as well. Johnson's long throw was allowed to reach Bricknell, who made no mistake this time as he swivelled and fired the ball low beyond U's keeper Alan Julian.

Ebbsfleet, electrifying when they went forward, were equally resolute in defence.

Sutton probed for a way back into the game but Howe cleared a Jo Kuffour shot off the line and Kenny Clark threw himself in front of a goalbound Michael Spillane effort.

The confidence was flooding back for the men in red shirts.

Bricknell forced a good save from Julian and after McMahon's right-wing free-kick had only been half-cleared, Cook caressed a half-volley just over. Cook then dropped a deep cross onto Sheringham's head but he couldn't generate the power to beat Julian.

Sutton won a free-kick just outside the box on the stroke of half-time but Evans' floated effort didn't trouble Hall as it sailed into the Plough End.

The Fleet started the second half with the same intensity with which they had finished the first. Sheringham had a header cleared off the line and Julian got down well to save a powerful McMahon shot.

Hall's first save of the match was a good one. Evans tried his luck with a free-kick from a narrow angle and the shot was heading in until Hall clawed it out from under the crossbar.

And his intervention looked even more significant when Ebbsfleet went 3-0 up moments later.

Sutton failed to clear a corner, Cook headed the ball back into the box and after Sheringham had tried to force the ball home, Bricknell did - for his second goal of the game.

Sutton manager Paul Doswell made a triple substitution but it failed to change the game as the Fleet stood firm. Charlie Clough met a deep Evans free-kick but he should have done better with his header, which dropped tamely wide.

Some quite brilliant play from Cook got the winger away down the left and his deep cross was met by the head of Sheringham, who forced another save from Julian.

The former Dartford No.1 was back in action moments later to thwart McMahon and then gather Clark's header from the resulting corner.

Sutton kept trying but they got absolutely no change out of a Fleet side who were superb from start to finish.

It might even have been 4-0 in the end but substitute Matty Godden saw his shot saved by Julian, with Clark heading the rebound over an open goal.

But this was a result - and a performance - which sent out a chilling message to the rest of the league.

Ebbsfleet: Hall, Howe, Acheampong (Huke 79mins), Clark, Palmer, Johnson (Sessegnon 83mins), Rance, McMahon, Cook, Sheringham, Bricknell (Godden 67mins). Subs not used: Edwards, Pooley.

Sutton: Julian, Amankwaah, Evans (Lockwood 58mins), Spillane, Hart (Bignall 58mins), Clough, Haysman, Wellard, Dundas, Kuffour (Osborne 58mins), Binns. Subs not used: Lovelock, Lawrence.

Attendance: 879.