Ebbsfleet climbed to 10th in the National League with a 3-2 win over managerless Barrow.

The home side, who led through an Aaron McLean goal at half-time, were far from their best on Saturday and could have no complaints when the Bluebirds equalised.

But two goals in four minutes late on from Andy Drury and Jack Powell clinched the points before Barrow netted a consolation deep in stoppage-time.

Aaron McLean started a league game for only the second time this season, partnering Danny Kedwell up front. His introduction from the bench in midweek was a catalyst in Fleet's 3-0 FA Cup win against East Thurrock and that performance convinced boss Daryl McMahon to bring in the 34-year-old player/coach for Danny Mills.

Barrow arrived in Kent without a win in eight and without a manager, having already sacked two this season. Neill Hornby took charge on the day and brought Asa Hall and Paul Bignot into his starting XI.

Ebbsfleet, with a strong wind at their backs, almost took the lead inside three minutes.

Sean Shields' cross from the right swirled in the breeze and dropped for Dean Rance, whose half-volley was going in until it struck a defender's leg and deflected behind for a corner.

Shields, who was excellent in the week, looked bright again here. His next cross found Jack Powell, arriving late at the near post, although Barrow got bodies in the way of the ball.

Joel Dixon got both hands to a left-footed delivery from Shields which briefly threatened to blow right over the goalkeeper's head.

Barrow enjoyed a good spell and almost punished some sloppy Fleet defending when Alex-Ray Harvey's strike from outside the box forced a save from Nathan Ashmore at the second attempt.

But it was Ebbsfleet who broke the deadlock on 24 minutes with a piece of classic centre-forward link-up play. Kedwell headed a long ball on for McLean whose left-footed volley crashed into the roof of the net.

The Bluebirds responded well to going behind, Hall twice testing Ashmore from distance before the keeper was forced to punch a bouncing ball off the goal line.

And the home side had to scramble Byron Harrison's low cross behind after he got to the byline and made his way towards goal.

Ebbsfleet did hit the target again just before the break but Kedwell's header, under pressure from a defender, was easily held by Dixon.

The visitors stayed positive at the start of the second half. Ashmore had to back-pedal to gather a Jack Barthram cross before diving low to keep Harvey's low drive out of the bottom corner.

Jordan White should have made it 1-1 when he was afforded a free header, six yards out, but he directed his effort straight at Ashmore.

Fleet then put together a good passing move and Dean Rance, in an advanced position, showed quick feet to beat a defender before shooting straight at Dixon.

Myles Weston, on for McLean, flashed a low cross through the six-yard box before Kedwell lobbed over after Dixon had raced out of his box to stop Luke Coulson, another substitute, running on to Powell's through-ball.

The changes seemed to lift Ebbsfleet, who went close again when Coulson forced Dixon to push his left-footed strike round the post.

But the scores were level on 70 minutes when the home side failed to clear their lines and Bedsente Gomis, having come off the bench, touched the ball home from close-range.

Parity lasted just five minutes though. The home side knocked the ball about nicely and Dixon dropped Powell's powerful shot at the feet of Andy Drury, who simply couldn't miss.

And it was 3-1 when Barrow allowed a long ball to bounce and Kedwell's delightful centre from the right-hand side gifted Powell a tap-in.

Adi Yusuff almost pulled a goal back for the visitors before Gomis did, with the last kick of the match.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Magri, Clark, Bush, Connors, Shields (Coulson 66mins), Rance, Drury, Powell, Kedwell, McLean (Weston 61mins). Subs not used: McCoy, Miles, Mills.

Barrow: Dixon, Thompson, Bignot, Diagne, Barthram, Harvey (Gomis 65mins), Hall, Clements, Bauress (Panayiotou 77mins), White (Yussuf 60mins), Harrison. Subs not used: Moore, Hughes.

Attendance: 1,402.