By Alex Birch

Fleet secured back-to-back away wins in the National League with a 4-0 victory at fellow basement dwellers Chorley, that changed from first half smash-and-grab to second half cruise on Tuesday night.

Kevin Watson’s side, who handed a debut in goal to keeper Harry Palmer with first-choice Jordan Holmes injured, made the perfect start by taking the lead after only five minutes.

Myles Weston swung a free-kick over from the right, Chorley captain Andy Teague’s attempted clearance eventually forced Matt Urwin into a brilliant close-range save, before the rebound was converted from a tight angle by Marvel Ekpiteta.

The home side enjoyed a lot of possession in the opening 20 minutes, but Fleet looked dangerous on the break, with Albie Morgan testing home keeper Urwin’s reflexes with a long-range drive.

Chorley continued to probe, but Teague’s header from an Adam Blakeman corner was cleared off the line by committee, before an epic goalmouth scramble from another Blakeman corner saw Teague hit the post with a header and the rebound once more cleared off the line.

Fleet were struggling to get out of their own half as half-time neared, but in a blink of an eye doubled their advantage. Frankie Sutherland’s left-wing free kick pinballed around the Chorley six-yard box, allowing Gozie Ugwu to stab home.

The home side’s possessional dominance continued into the second half, but it was once again Fleet going the closest to scoring early on as Sutherland’s wicked corner was headed against the bar by Jack King.

Then came a deserved third on the hour when a dominant Ugwu muscled his way past Teague to fire across Urwin and into the corner of the net.

Alex Reid was next to go close, picking up on a loose Matt Challoner back pass, before rounding Urwin and hitting the upright.

Chorley kept the ball for much of the final 20 minutes, which Fleet were more than happy for them to do, without created any openings at all.

The fourth and final goal, a delicious curling finish from just outside the box four minutes from time by on-loan Charlton midfielder Morgan, was no less than Fleet deserved.

Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Blakeman (Baines 43mins), Teague (O’Keefe 65mins), Meppen-Walters, Ross, Cottrell, Dodds, Nortey, Massanka, Holroyd (Almond 56mins). Subs not used: A Newby, E Newby.

Ebbsfleet: Palmer, King (Obileye 82mins), Blackman (Grimes 77mins), Ugwu, Weston, Sutherland, Cordner, Ekpiteta, Reid (Umerah 77mins), Payne, Morgan. Subs not used: Lawless, Adeloye.

Attendance: 921.