Ebbsfleet 1 Altrincham 0

Ebbsfleet moved out of the Blue Square Premier relegation zone on Tuesday with victory over Altrincham at Stonebridge Road.

Ricky Shakes was the match winner, finishing a flowing move in the sixth-minute with a right foot shot.

Luke Moore combining with Mark Ricketts to set Michael Gash free in the box, and the striker’s low cross was turned home by the former Trinidad winger.

The Fleet appeared to have doubled their lead midway through the half, but Danny Slatter’s glancing header from Gash’s set-up was ruled out for offside.

Altrincham began to threaten with increasing menace, being helped by the poor decision making of Leon Crooks. Twice in the remaining minutes of the half the defender’s weak headers put his side in trouble, but the visitors failed to profit.

Shaun Densmore forced Lance Cronin into a save from a free-kick and Greg Young shot over the bar.

The Fleet managed to hang on though, and could have scored a second as the minutes ticked down but, after Gash had done the hard work in the area, he fluffed his shot.