Will Wood's stunning second-half strike handed Ebbsfleet three crucial points in National League South against Hampton on Saturday.

Greg Cundle's first-half penalty was saved by former Gills keeper Alan Julian in the first half but Wood ended a tough week for his side on a bright note.

Fleet made five changes from the team soundly beaten at Maidstone in midweek. Will Wood came in for his first start since December 11 while it was only a second league start for Kieran Monlouis who had not featured on a matchday team line-up since the end of November.

Ebbsfleet shipped nine goals in their last two games on the road and that shaky defending was evident, despite a change in formation to a back four, inside the first 20 seconds as a lapse let in Zach Robinson, whose low shot was saved by keeper Chris Haigh.

Fleet responded and both Christian N’Guessan and Monlouis were involved as they passed the ball around well and were able to open up the visitors. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling dragged his shot wide, Elliott Romain was unable to turn in Alfie Egan’s deflected effort and Monlouis himself was denied by an excellent stop by the veteran keeper Alan Julian, who also thwarted Egan in a busy opening 15 minutes.

Ebbsfleet were handed a golden chance to take the lead on 36 minutes when Dean Inman needlessly blocked Romain’s header from Cundle’s deep corner with his arm.

Referee Callum Walchester pointed to the spot but Cundle drove his penalty down the middle and Julian, despite diving to his right, was able to keep it out with his foot.

Fleet started the second half brightly and were rewarded with the opener after 57 minutes. Wood cut inside from the right and curled a delightful left-foot shot from 20 yards beyond the reach of Julian.

Hampton shifted gear almost immediately and showed some attacking intent, Robinson twice having good openings on the break.

Substitute Lee Martin saw his clever flick hit the top of the bar moments after coming on for Wood down the right wing.

Robinson had a great chance to level with 17 minutes left but Haigh smartly kept out his downward header from a right-wing cross.

Ebbsfleet: Haigh, Adebayo-Rowling, J Martin, N'Guessan, Cundle (Paxman 84mins), Wood (L Martin 68mins), Egan, Romain (Poleon 64mins), Solly, Chapman, Monlouis. Subs not used: Firth, Tanner.

Hampton: Julian, Donaldson, Inman, Block, Deadfield (Fisher 73mins), Gray, Robinson, McKnight, Miller-Rodney (Dronfield 63mins), Farrell (Dunne 85mins), Barzey. Subs not used: Hamblin, Amate.

Referee: Callum Walchester.

Attendance: 1,117.