Ebbsfleet’s slim hopes of sneaking into the Vanarama Conference South play-offs were finally snuffed out when they lost at Bath on Tuesday night.

Jamie Day’s side travelled to the West Country knowing only three wins from their final three games would keep them in the promotion hunt - and even then teams above them would need to drop points.

But they got off to a bad start at Twerton Park when Kenny Clark - one of three changes to the Fleet starting XI - brought down Naby Diallo inside the box.

Leading scorer David Pratt beat recalled keeper Preston Edwards from the spot to make it 1-0.

However, the visitors were level inside 60 seconds. Matt Godden connected with Luke Rooney’s cross and although Jason Mellor saved his effort, Stuart Lewis was on hand to score his first goal for the club.

Tyrone Marsh then drove at the Bath defence and threaded a ball through for Rooney, who fired a shot against the post.

Pratt was denied twice by Edwards and once by the woodwork as Bath presseed to get their noses back in front.

After the break, Rooney and Marsh combined to tee up Adam Cunnington but his shot was turned behind. Rooney’s corner fell for Godden but a point-blank block denied him.

With 18 minutes left, Bath struck what proved to be the winner. Nick McCootie got beyond Anthony Acheampong and cut inside before crossing for Pratt to slide in for his second goal.

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Clark (Osborn 88mins), Acheampong, Bonner, Palmer, Godden (Shields 88mins), T Lewis, S Lewis, Rooney, Marsh, Cunnington (West 74mins). Subs not used: Johnson, Turner.

Attendance: 309.