Ebbsfleet remain rooted to the foot of Blue Square Bet Premier after suffering their heaviest defeat of the season in front of the live TV cameras on Friday night.

With their game against Macclesfield being screened live by Premier Sports, the Fleet had the chance to make a significant move before their relegation rivals played on Saturday.

However, they conceded early and then shipped three second-half goals to leave themselves still seven points adrift of safety.

Manager Liam Daish put new signings Gareth Gwillim, Josh Scott and former Gills striker Stefan Payne (pictured) straight into his starting line-up. Barnet defender Jack Saville, having extended his loan until the end of the season, was handed a home debut.

Just two minutes had elapsed when Macclesfield took the lead, Kieran Murtagh sweeping a free-kick into the bottom corner.

Ebbsfleet took a while to get going on a sticky Stonebridge Road pitch. Tom Phipp volleyed wide and Scott, on loan from Dagenham, failed to make contact with Craig Stone’s deep cross.

Stone drew a good save from Town goalkeeper Rhys Taylor after the interval but Steve King’s side then scored two goals in four minutes to effectively end the game as a contest.

First, Waide Fairhurst bundled the ball over the line after tangling with Preston Edwards in the six-yard box, and then Jack Mackreth raced in from the right wing to confidently make it 3-0.

Ebbsfleet looked like a beaten side now and Edwards did well to keep out a Murtagh volley which looked destined for the bottom corner.

The Silkmen’s leading scorer, Matthew Barnes-Homer, then contrived to shoot over an open goal from six yards.

However, a miserable night for the north Kent club was completed when the outstanding Mackreth doubled his tally two minutes from time.

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Stone, Lorraine, Saville, Gwillim, Payne (Enver-Marum 78mins), Barrett, Phipp (Shitta 69mins), Howe, Scott (Alabu 69mins), Elder. Subs not used: Walsh, Menz.

Attendance: 779