Ebbsfleet’s relegation from the National League was finally confirmed at Aldershot on Saturday.

The Fleet came close to winning on the road for the first time this season with another spirited display but their inevitable fate was mathematically sealed at The Rec.

There were three changes from the side that defeated relegation-threatened AFC Fylde last weekend.

Maxx Manktelow, Josh Passley and Toby Edser came into the starting line-up to replace Lewis Page, Alex Lankshear and Alex Aoraha.

Manktelow, having been used mainly in midfield roles when coming off the bench, slotted into the back three and made a couple of early interceptions.

The deadlock was broken on 15 minutes when Ryan Jones played a short corner and advanced into the penalty area before firing low into the far corner.

Within a minute, the Fleet were back on level terms as Franklin Domi brilliantly curled home from 20 yards.

Aldershot regained the lead on 19 minutes when Josh Barrett played a one-two on the edge of the area and found the top corner with a first-time shot.

It was 2-2 on 27 minutes when Keane Anderson fouled Domi and George Moncur stepped up to curl home a 25-yard right-foot free-kick.

Three minutes later, the Fleet scored three goals for the first time in a league game this season when Aldershot defenders Luca Woodhouse and Levi Laing got in a tangle and Aaron Cosgrave took full advantage, firing past keeper Marcus Dewhurst.

Both teams had free-kicks early in the second half that hit defensive walls but chances were few and far between at either end.

The Fleet were in little danger until a free-kick was conceded out on the left and when the ball was delivered into the box, Mustapha Olagunju’s handball was spotted by the assistant. Tyler Frost stepped up to convert from the penalty spot to make it 3-3 on 67 minutes.

Former Maidstone forward twice went close to putting Aldershot ahead as the hosts started to pile on the pressure, having changed their formation and upped the tempo.

But for all their possession in the second half, the home side were able to conjure up a winner.

Aldershot: Dewhurst, Hargreaves, Frost, Barrett, R Jones, Anderson (Widdrington 64mins), A Jones, Barham (Corbett 82mins), Woodhouse, Armitage, Laing (Henry 59mins). Subs not used: Van Stappershoef, Bray, Mullins, Uwakwe.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, O’Neill, Olagunju, Manktelow, Passley (Anthony 51mins), Bolger, Edser, Domi (Poleon 76mins), Chapman, Moncur (Carr 82mins), Cosgrave (Thomas 70mins). Subs not used: Goddard, Bingham, Aoraha.

Referee: William Davis.

Attendance: 2,685 (116 away).