Greg Cundle marked his return to the side with the winner as Ebbsfleet ended a three-game losing run in National League South.

Cundle struck with seven minutes left to give Dennis Kutrieb’s side maximum points at Stonebridge Road.

Fleet made three changes from the side that lost 5-2 at Dulwich last weekend.

Tobi Adebayo-Rowling started a three-match ban for his red card against Oxford City while there was a first start since August for Christian N’Guessan.

That lack of game time may have played a part in N’Guessan’s fifth-minute booking when he turned blind midway inside his own half and then fouled James Blanchfield in an attempt to keep control of the ball.

Fleet took the lead on seven minutes when Craig Tanner crossed into the area and the onrushing Alfie Egan converted from close range.

It was all going well as the returning Cundle drove forward from the halfway line and then shot low at keeper Myles Roberts from 20 yards.

Fleet had their warnings at the other end. There was a collective gasp from the crowd when keeper Chris Haigh - playing against his former club - tried to play out from the back. That is the method encouraged by Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb but it nearly had them in danger when Simper closed down an early goal kick before Danny Green shot over after more wasteful distribution.

The visitors levelled just before the half-hour with a lovely worked goal. The ball was swiftly played in by Ben Allen from the right wing and his cross evaded two Fleet defenders before being swept home by the impressive Lewis Simper.

Concord dominated the rest of the first half, encouraged by their pressing and preying on Fleet’s clear lack of confidence.

It took Fleet an hour to abandon their two defensive midfielders policy when Dominic Poleon came off the bench.

Haigh was at it again midway through the second half when he took a touch too many in his box and Simper was in again, but the Fleet keeper scrambled back to prevent the ball crossing the line.

Fleet finally responded at the other end but Tanner and then substitute Adam Mekki shot wide as they tried to increase the tempo, which was lacking after the break.

In a game where the referee seemingly booked players for most fouls, Concord’s Mamadou Jobe was fortunate not to collect a second caution with 20 minutes left for a foul on Mekki.

Fleet were camping themselves in the Concord half and the pressure appeared to have paid off when Poleon turned in the rebound after Cundle hit the post. A late offside flag cut short the celebrations much to the dismay of the home fans.

But they were not to be denied and seven minutes from time a cross was cleared only as far as Cundle, who drove home from just inside the area.

There was still time for a late surge from Concord. Solly had to clear off the line after a goalmouth scramble following a corner while a late free-kick somehow evaded everyone in the area.

Fleet dug deep, their resolve tested late on and resulting in six yellow cards - referee Marc Whaley showing nine in total from a game that was niggly but nothing more than that.

Ebbsfleet: Haigh, Kahraman, Jombati, Chapman, N'Guessan (Poleon 60mins), Solly, Egan (Paxman 73mins), Cundle, Wood (Mekki 49mins), Tanner, Bingham. Subs not used Firth, Romain.

Concord: Roberts, Popo, Payne, Pollock, Blackman, Blanchfield (Randell 76mins), Allen (Kesey 61mins), Green, Jobe, Simper, Reynolds. Subs not used: Peck, Domi, Reid.

Referee: Marc Whaley.

Attendance: 818.