Four goals in 12 second-half minutes saw rock-bottom Ebbsfleet stuffed at home by Solihull Moors on Saturday in the National League.

The Fleet had the better of a first half which saw both sides reduced to 10 men at various stages.

But the hosts were unable to make their numerical advantage count in that period and were left counting the cost after a clinical spell of finishing from the visitors.

The tone of the match was set as early as the fifth minute when Solihull centre-back James Clarke saw red for a rash challenge on Fleet forward Kwame Thomas.

It had already been a positive start for the hosts, with early shots from Jephte Tanga and Aaron Cosgrave indicating their forward-thinking approach.

Thomas was down for five minutes receiving treatment to his face and his involvement would only last a further 15 minutes before he had to be replaced.

Without Dominic Poleon on international duty and Rakish Bingham absent from the squad, Ebbsfleet introduced Jez Davies, who signed on loan from League 2 Salford for a month.

However, Davies’ first Fleet outing was cut short after just 17 minutes when he also picked up a red card for a late foul on Jamey Osborne just before half-time.

While they had a man advantage, it was Ebbsfleet who dominated but they were unable to find a vital breakthrough.

Keeper Laurie Walker did well to deny Jim Kellermann and Cosgrave was again a willing runner as he led the line admirably once Thomas went off.

The best chances came from Josh Wright corners, Cosgrave turning his effort the wrong side of the post and defender Anthony Stewart heading narrowly over.

Ebbsfleet were reduced to 10 men two minutes before the break when referee Paul Johnson deemed Davies’ challenge - once the referee had already blown for a foul - was also worthy of an early bath.

The game swung firmly in Solihull’s favour with two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half.

Osborne’s dangerous free-kick was turned into his own net under serious pressure by the unfortunate Stewart on 48 minutes.

But there was no fortune about their second goal Watford loan man Michael Adu-Poku broke down the right and fired a clinical low finish in off the far post beyond keeper Mark Cousins.

Ebbsfleet tried to clear their heads but Solihull were breaking at will and Osborne then set up Conor Wilkinson who slotted home a third goal on 57 minutes.

Wilkinson was at it again three minutes later as Ebbsfleet looked a different side from the one in the first half, Solihull breaking quickly from defending a corner before the former Gills man slotted home his second.

Ebbsfleet had the chance to pull one back on 65 minutes when Chapman was fouled in the box. Cosgrave stepped up but his low spot-kick was saved by Walker.

The Fleet forward had another great opening three minutes later but he opted to shoot and found the side-netting from an acute angle instead of pulling the ball back for Tanga.

Wilkinson completed his hat-trick with 17 minutes left, finding plenty of space in the box after a driving run forward by the lively Adu-Poku.

Ebbsfleet replaced substitute Craig Tanner with Jack Wakely in midfield for the final nine minutes but they were unable to stop the flow as Moors added a sixth in stoppage time when Sam Bowen swept home.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, Wright (Tanner 70mins, Wakely 81mins), Cordner, Kellermann, Edser (Fonguck 58mins), Tanga, Chapman, Cosgrave, Kane, Stewart, Thomas (Davies 26mins). Subs not used: Berry, John, Dallison.

Solihull: Walker, Clarke, Newton, Osborne, Whitmore, Stevens (Tipton 62mins), Bowen, Wilkinson (Gale 77mins), Oakley, Stevenson (Morrison 10mins), Adu-Poku (Bostock 86mins). Subs not used: Flahavan, Warburton, Howell.

Referee: Paul Johnson.

Attendance: 1,664.