Dominic Poleon bagged a hat-trick as Ebbsfleet came from behind to trounce struggling Hampton at Stonebridge Road.

The Fleet moved through the gears in National League South after a slow start, extending their advantage at the top of the table to 11 points as Dartford dropped points at Braintree.

Ebbsfleet made four changes from the team that drew 0-0 at 10-man Chippenham in midweek.

But they were given a rude awakening in the opening exchanges. Haydn Hollis gave possession away cheaply after three minutes but Sam Deadfield narrowly shot wide from the edge of the box.

Hampton went ahead on six minutes when Connor Kurran-Browne’s excellent cross from the right was met by Ruaridh Donaldson, whose looping header went over keeper Mark Cousins.

Ebbsfleet never really got going, their play lacked tempo but Hampton – coming into the game on an 11-game winless league run – were never likely to hold out for long.

Debutant keeper Endurance Johnson, having earlier fumbled a driven cross, made a fine one-handed save to deny Dominic Poleon while Omari Sterling-James looked lively down the right for the hosts.

Referee Harry Wager, taking charge of Hampton on their travels for the fourth time this season, booked Luke Jenkins and Kurran-Browne in the opening half-hour for taking out Fleet wing-back Greg Cundle.

Ebbsfleet levelled it up on 36 minutes. The referee pointed to the spot when Toby Edser was fouled in the box. The Fleet have missed four spot-kicks this season so duties were given to Poleon, who opted to drill low and hard through the middle to level the scores.

The hosts felt midfielder Billy Clifford was unfortunate to be booked when he appeared to win the ball against Jenkins in a 50/50 challenge.

But they were soon ahead, Bingham heading down for Poleon, whose close-range effort trickled past the wrong-footed defender on the line four minutes before the break.

Shane Dunne went into the book for taking out Edser early in the second half.

The Fleet extended their lead just before the hour mark when Poleon ran at Dunne and then crossed for strike partner Bingham to sweep home from close range.

But Hampton showed great character to pull a goal back on 65 minutes, Dunne producing an excellent finish after the home side failed to clear a right-wing corner.

Ebbsfleet restored their two-goal cushion just six minutes later, Bingham skipping past the last defender before calmly firing past keeper Johnson to take his tally for the campaign to 17.

Poleon then completed his hat-trick with 17 minutes left, swivelling to turn the ball home from Cundle’s left-wing centre.

Former Maidstone man Dan Wishart was fortunate to escape with a yellow card for a crude challenge on Ebbsfleet substitute Darren McQueen.

The icing on the cake came three minutes into stoppage time when Edser curled into the top corner from 20 yards.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, O'Neill, Solly, Hollis, Sterling-James, N'Guessan, Clifford (Domi 63mins), Edser, Cundle (McQueen 75mins), Poleon, Bingham (Coulthirst 77mins). Subs not used: Jombati, Romain.

Hampton: Johnson, Jenkins (Crowhurst 46mins), Donaldson, Inman, Fernandez (Whittingham 61mins), Gray, Kurran-Browne, Wishart, Deadfield, Clifton (Barzey 71mins), Dunne. Subs not used: Wood, Rowe.

Referee: Harry Wager.

Attendance: 1,615.