Ebbsfleet have now gone a calendar year without an away league win after losing at Wealdstone on Saturday.

The Fleet twice led at Grosvenor Vale in a promising first-half display but ultimately were left well beaten in the second half.

Their last away National League victory came at Dorking in February 2024, a result which was pivotal in their survival bid.

But there will be no escape this season and to compound matters, they had Mustapha Olagunju sent off late on.

Ebbsfleet made two changes from the goalless draw with title-chasing Forest Green in midweek with Franklin Domi and Aaron Cosgrave coming into the starting line-up.

It took just 17 minutes for Domi to have an immediate impact. Wealdstone failed to clear a left-wing corner and when Toby Edser’s cross was only half-punched clear by keeper Luca Gunter, Domi strode forward to drill home his second goal of the season from just inside the box.

It was a first league goal for Ebbsfleet in 483 minutes, their last goal also coming on their travels in the 1-1 draw at Woking.

The lead lasted just nine minutes though, with Wealdstone back on level terms in fortuitous circumstances. Alex Reid appeared to slip in the box but referee Dale Baines pointed to the spot. Reid stepped up to convert the spot-kick against his former club.

Ebbsfleet regained the lead on 33 minutes with a set-piece goal. George Moncur’s dangerous corner was flapped at by Gunter and Anthony Stewart arrived at the far post to bundle the ball home from close range.

Having broken one stat already, it was the first time this season that Ebbsfleet had scored twice in the first half in a league game. They were deservedly ahead and on course for a morale-boosting win.

But they couldn’t hold onto their advantage, Wealdstone equalising in the second of three added minutes when Harrison Sohna’s low shot from the edge of the box beat keeper Mark Cousins.

Reid nearly had his second early in the second half but Cousins made a bright save low down after the forward was played in by Micah Obiero.

There wasn’t the same goal threat from either side in the second half although Ebbsfleet had a crisp counter attack that nearly put them ahead on 66 minutes. Domi was clear down the left but couldn’t get his delivery into the box early enough for Cosgrave and the hosts were able to clear.

Wealdstone went ahead for the first time on 69 minutes with a cracking free-kick by Sohna. From 25 yards, Sohna found the top corner with a superb left-foot strike.

Cousins produced a great save to deny Grant but he was helpless moments later when a swift Wealdstone break saw Reid fire in first time to put the visitors 4-2 ahead with 11 minutes left.

It went from bad to worse on 83 minutes when Olagunju was harshly penalised for a foul on substitute Sam Ashford, a challenge which earned him a second yellow card and the visitors had to finish the contest with 10 men.

Substitute Ben Chapman was denied by Gunter late on but a promising afternoon ultimately ended in defeat.

Wealdstone: Gunter, Grant, Mariappa, McAvoy (Cook 59mins), Hutchinson (Randall 88mins), Eastmond (Dyer 59mins), Sohna, Georgiou (Boldewijn 59mins), Kretzschmar, Obiero (Ashford 78mins), Reid. Subs not used: Baptiste, Sekyere.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, Stewart, Olagunju, Dallison, Passley (Chapman 54mins), Moncur (Carr 68mins), Bolger, Edser (Manktelow 85mins), Lankshear, Domi (Thomas 76mins), Cosgrave (Samuel 70mins). Subs not used: Firth, Bingham.

Referee: Dale Baines.

Attendance: 1,401 (108 away).