Ebbsfleet lost their unbeaten away record in National League South after losing at a robust Cheshunt outfit on Tuesday night.

The hosts took an early lead and then held firm defensively, frustrating the visitors with their physical and uncompromising approach as the Fleet ran out of ideas.

Ebbsfleet made two changes from the team beaten at home by Eastbourne seven days earlier. Top scorer Dominic Poleon returned along with Sido Jombati, while Shaq Coulthirst dropped to the bench with Luke O’Neill not involved.

It was a dreadful start for Ebbsfleet. The referee decided there was no foul on Fleet keeper Mark Cousins outside of his area but when the visitors tried to play out from the back, they gave the ball away cheaply.

Rowan Liburd’s low shot from 20 yards was pushed out by Cousins, who had to race across his goal. But it fell for Zack Newton, who was fouled by Joe Martin.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot, Martin was then booked for a barge on Newton and, eventually, Reece Beckles-Richards slotted home the spot-kick to give Cheshunt a ninth-minute lead. As the home side celebrated, Cousins was booked for dissent, still not happy at not being given an initial free-kick.

Ebbsfleet had a penalty appeal of their own turned down on 20 minutes. Poleon’s shot was blocked by Lewis Hobbs but when the loose ball bounced up, appeals for handball were ignored by the officials.

Cheshunt left-back Isaac Pitblado was eventually booked just before the half-hour for pulling back Omari Sterling-James on the edge of the area but Craig Tanner delivered the resulting free-kick straight into the arms of the keeper.

Toby Edser won the ball in midfield and set up Poleon, whose low shot from 20 yards was kept out with the home side reacting quickest to clear the loose ball.

For all their dominance, the Fleet didn’t move the ball quickly enough and took too many chances around the penalty area.

Cheshunt nearly caught them out on the stroke of half-time but Christian N’Guessan was booked for fouling Beckles-Richards as he looked to break clear from inside his own half.

The second half was effectively attack versus defence with Ebbsfleet camped in the Cheshunt half. The defending became increasingly desperate with yellow cards for Billy Cracknell and Emmanuel Maja.

Tanner had a 20-yard shot deflected against the woodwork before Fleet turned to Darren McQueen for the final 20 minutes to provide some inspiration.

Substitute Franklin Domi’s shot was blocked and Sterling-James’ backheel was saved after good work down the left by McQueen. Domi was then called into action at the other end to clear off the line from Raul Fernandes Da Silva and within a minute Poleon dragged a left-foot shot wide of the far post for Ebbsfleet.

Cheshunt used every opportunity to wind the clock down and it resulted in six minutes of stoppage time, a figure that should really have been much higher with a more competent referee.

Cheshunt: Desbois, Cracknell, Pitblado, Alexander, Fernandes Da Silva, Hobbs, Beckles-Richards (Haxhiu 83mins), Re, Liburd (Harris 77mins), Newton (Ekongo 72mins), Maja. Subs not used: McKenzie, Edwards.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, Martin, Hollis, Jombati (Domi 61mins), Edser, N’Guessan (Coulthirst 82mins), Chapman (McQueen 72mins), Sterling, Tanner, Bingham, Poleon. Subs not used: Haigh, Finney.

Referee: Robert Claussen.

Attendance: 561.