Ebbsfleet’s wait for a National League win continued after a mad five-minute spell ultimately cost them on Saturday.

The Fleet appeared in control against Tamworth but three quickfire goals just before half-time turned the game on its head.

Ebbsfleet made one change from last weekend’s defeat at Wealdstone with the suspended Mustapha Olagunju replaced by Dominic Samuel while Tamworth had former Fleet defender Haydn Hollis in their starting line-up.

It was a stop-start opening with fouls awarded against both sides. Tamworth’s Arjan Raikhy was booked for a poor challenge on Josh Passley after 10 minutes with Fleet’s Tom Dallison also cautioned straight after before Passley himself was booked for a foul.

Samuel’s header from a corner was blocked before the striker shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.

He was involved in the opening goal of the game when he laid the ball off for George Moncur inside his own half. On-loan Leyton Orient midfielder Moncur drove forward and managed to keep his feet before unleashing a stunning 25-yard right-foot shot into the far corner beyond keeper Jas Singh.

There was no indication of what was to follow in a five-minute spell that turned the game on its head.

Tamworth equalised when Ebbsfleet initially failed to clear a cross and when the ball was returned into the area from the left wing, Dan Creaney’s expertly headed into the far corner to level the scores on 38 minutes.

Two minutes later, Creaney was picked out brilliantly before he lobbed keeper Mark Cousins for this 13th goal of the season.

Ebbsfleet faced an uphill task when they conceded a third goal on 43 minutes. Having coped well with the aerial bombardment from Tom Tonks’ long throws up to that point, the unfortunate Alex Lankshear managed to turn Tonks’ latest throw-in beyond his own keeper.

It was a much-needed half-time break for the Fleet who came out the better side in the second half.

Excellent footwork by Moncur nearly opened up the Tamworth defence for a second goal but captain Toby Edser’s shot lacked enough power to trouble Singh.

Then on 68 minutes, Domi did well down the left but Samuel’s goalbound shot was cleared in front of Singh by defender Callum Cockerill-Mollett.

It was game on with 17 minutes left when Moncur crossed from the right and Hollis turned the ball past his own keeper at the near post, a popular goal among the home fans for obvious reasons.

Boss Josh Wright shuffled his pack late on but, despite five minutes of stoppage time, they were unable to force an equaliser that they deserved.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, Passley (Chapman 86mins), Stewart, Dallison, Lankshear, Moncur, Edser, Bolger (Manktelow 81mins), Domi (Thomas 69mins), Samuel (Bingham 86mins), Cosgrave (Harriott 69mins). Subs not used: Page, Carr.

Tamworth: Singh, Cockerill-Mollett, Tonks (Fletcher 49mins), Digie, Milnes, Creaney, McGlinchey (Finn 72mins), Hollis, Maher (Enoru 90+2mins), Crompton, Raikhy (Sundire 46mins). Subs not used: Cullinane-Liburd, Tshikuna, Ponticelli.

Referee: Callum Walchester.

Attendance: 1,322 (94 away).