Ebbsfleet conceded five goals for the first time this season on Tuesday night.

Their heavy defeat at Barnet sends the Fleet to the bottom of the National League - although they are just three points from safety.

Ebbsfleet made two changes from the team that drew at Stockport on Saturday. Andre Blackman and Tyler Cordner both started with Jamie Grimes ruled out through injury and Tomi Adeloye dropping to the bench.

Barnet enjoyed all the early possession although they never really like scoring, it was Alex Reid who had the first clear opening but he fired wide of the near post.

The hosts took the lead on 27 minutes with a cracker from Jack Taylor. Afforded enough time and space, Taylor let fly from at least 30 yards and found the back of the net via the underside of the bar.

Fleet levelled against the run of play when a free-kick into the box fell perfectly for Ayo Obileye and he showed great footwork before planting a low effort beyond keeper Scott Loach.

The visitors failed to hold out until the break, however. Skipper Jack King needlessly gave the ball away cheaply and Barnet were quick and incisive to work the ball into Simeon Akinola, who curled his effort past Harry Palmer.

Fleet improved after the break, no doubt with manager Kevin Watson’s half-time team talk ringing in their ears.

They equalised with a well-worked goal 11 minutes into the second half. Josh Payne played a perfect ball behind the wing-back and Blackman squared for Gozie Ugwu to convert from close range.

Parity lasted just 60 seconds though as Fleet gifted Barnet the lead. Frankie Sutherland’s dummy on the edge of the Barnet area gave possession away and as King stepped up to play offside, Obileye stayed back and Akinola had the run of the pitch before scoring beyond Palmer.

Barnet added a fourth midway through the second half when Josh Walker waltzed his way past two defenders and slotted home.

Referee Matthew Russell handed Barnet a penalty in the 72nd minute when he deemed a shot from the edge of the box had hit an arm. Akinola tucked away the spot-kick to complete his hat-trick.

Reid thought he pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left but his effort from a corner was ruled out for handball and he picked up a yellow card for his troubles.

Barnet: Loach, Johnson, Reynolds, Dunne, J Taylor, Akinola (Vasiliou 90mins), H Taylor, Fonguck (Vilhete 82mins), Walker (Adams 86mins), Tutonda, Sweeney. Subs not used: Matrevics, Boucaud.

Ebbsfleet: Palmer, King, Obileye (Egan 73mins), Blackman, Ugwu, Weston, Sutherland (Adeloye 62mins), Cordner, Ekpiteta, Reid, Payne. Subs not used: Holmes, Wilson, Achuba.

Attendance: 776 (124 away).