Dominic Poleon scored a hat-trick as Ebbsfleet got back to winning ways in style against Weymouth in National League South.

It ended a run of four straight defeats for the Fleet as they bagged three much-needed points on a day when title rivals Dartford and Havant both posted victories.

It wasn’t comfortable until they stepped up a gear in the final quarter of the game, looking more like the team that brushed all aside in the early months of the campaign.

Fleet made three changes from the side beaten 4-0 at leaders Dartford on New Year’s Day with Omari Sterling-James, Christian N’Guessan and Greg Cundle all returning to the line-up.

But perhaps the biggest change by Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb was a return to his footballing style, having reverted to route one at Princes Park, as the home side again played out from the back.

It was a first half of few chances, although Ebbsfleet were always in relative control. Sido Jombati’s header from Omari Sterling-James after 10 minutes lacked power but was pushed behind to safety by keeper Zaki Oualah.

Then Poleon made a chance for himself but shot narrowly wide of the target from 20 yards.

Ebbsfleet took the lead on the half-hour when Toby Edser’s precise pass played in Poleon and his shot had sufficient power to beat Oualah, the Fleet striker making sure the ball went over the line at the second attempt.

Weymouth had only one real effort at goal but even then Scott Rees was unable to find the target, shooting wastefully well over the bar from 20 yards after a corner was half-cleared.

Tom Blair was booked for the visitors just before the break and Edser also saw his name taken for a late challenge minutes later by referee Aaron Farmer.

Weymouth had their first shot on target seven minutes into the second half but Brad Ash’s effort was comfortably saved by keeper Mark Cousins.

Fleet introduced Franklin Domi just past the hour and he nearly had a quick impact, shooting over after running towards the penalty area.

But the home side did double their led shortly after, Rakish Bingham creating space for himself in the box and drilling beyond the keeper at his near post on 72 minutes.

Ebbsfleet’s early-season swagger was suddenly back and Bingham nearly doubled his personal tally just two minutes later, his 20-yard left-foot curler hitting the upright.

Sterling-James, still waiting for his first Fleet goal, struck the angle of bar and post as the chances flowed again for the home side.

It was no surprise when Poleon was sent clean through with 10 minutes left, and the striker never looked like missing as he drilled high beyond Oualah to make it 3-0.

Domi shot just wide from 20 yards as Ebbsfleet were seemingly creating a clear sight on goal every time they went forward.

Poleon completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute, scoring at the second attempt after his first effort was blocked.

Weymouth scored a consolation two minutes later, an excellent finish by Keelan O'Connell who rounded Cousins and scored from an acute angle.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, Jombati, Hollis, Finney (Chapman 79mins), Sterling-James, N’Guessan (Romain 78mins), Edser (Domi 64mins), Tanner, Cundle, Bingham, Poleon. Subs not used: Haigh, Paxman.

Weymouth: Oualah, Carlyle, McBurnie, O’Connell, Jenkins, Kyprianou (Matsuzaka 41mins), Francis, Rees (Murray 65mins), Rose, Ash, Blair. Subs not used: Oyinsan, Nippard, Buse.

Referee: Aaron Farmer.

Attendance: 1,210.