Struggling Ebbsfleet United claimed only their second victory of the season after a 2-1 win against the Stags at Stonebridge Road this afternoon.

United are now seven points adrift of safety and this win will have come as a welcome relief after the Fleet had failed to win in their previous 15 games.

For Stags, they remain in the play-offs but this was a performance far from their best.

They now travel to Gateshead on Tuesday night in the knowledge that they must up the anti to remain in the chasing pack.

It was Town, however, who had the first attempt on goal within three minutes but Blair Sturrock's shot came straight back from the Ebbsfleet defence.

Ebbsfleet, who had failed to find the net in their last eight matches, found an oasis in their goal drought moments later.

As Fleet attacked, Ricky Shakes was given too much room on the right and his telling cross was met at the front post by the onrushing Magno Viera as they went into an early lead.

Six minutes later, Rob Duffy found Jon Challinor in the middle but the ex Cambridge midfielder was quickly challenged by United's Ross Smith from inside the penalty area.

Michael Brough, who had kept his place at right back at the expense of Gary Silk, whipped in a right-wing cross on 11 minutes, but Sturrock's lancing header flew wide of the angle.

Andy Burgess then helped Stags level the game on 15 minutes by the awarding of a spot kick. The new signing, playing on the left of midfield, smashed a sweet half-volley at Gavin Heeroo, who was adjudged to have handled inside the area.

After a long wait, the referee pointed to the spot and Rob Duffy stepped up from 12 yards to slot home his 12th goal of the season, with goalkeeper Lance Cronin rooted to the spot.

On 21 minutes, Ryan Williams switched flanks and brought the ball down beautifully before delivering a sensational diagonal pass to the advancing Rob Duffy who struck first time into the stand.

Stags survived five minutes later when they managed to clear the ball off the line after a dangerous left wing cross.

Ross Smith then intervened at the vital moment as Paul Heckingbottom delicately floated in a cross into the area. But, as the ball waited to drop, Smith intercepted just as Rob Duffy was about to pull the trigger.

Ebbsfleet almost regained their lead five minutes into the second half. But Magno Viera's shot was off target from Peter Holmes' right wing cross.

New signing Lee Morris was introduced on 55 minutes when he replaced Blair Sturrock.

Ebbsfleet restored their advantage two minutes later through a classy goal. Alexander Stavrinou started the move with a clever flick to Magno Viera, whose delicate header fell nicely into the path of captain Peter Holmes to do the rest from 8 yards.

Instantaneously, Ryan Williams left the field and was replaced by Louis Briscoe.

Ebbsfleet were buoyed on by their goal, and piled on the pressure. On 65, Michael West struck wide after Stags were unable to clear the ball downfield.

But it was the Fleet who had to clear off the line three minutes later when Michael Brough's long throw into the area was flicked on by Jon Challinor, but nobody could connect and United cleared.

With 18 minutes left to play, Michael West sent a dipping effort towards goal, but the back-tracking Alan Marriott watched it all the way to prevent Stags from falling further behind.

Stags were then dealt a further blow when Rob Duffy was yellow carded for persistent infringement, meaning that he will now miss Tuesday's clash at Gateshead after collecting five yellows.

On 85 minutes, Magno Viera went down in the penalty area after pressure from Andy Vurgess, and the same player was denied from 12 yards by Alan Marriott, diving to his left to make the stop.

Then at the other end, Briscoe whipped in a cross on the goalline which Lance Cronin had to palm away.

At the other end, Marriott was forced to tip wide on 89 minutes after a low-drilled shot from Peter Holmes from 20 yards.

With three minutes remaining, the experienced Craig Armstrong made his way onto the field at the expense of Matt Somner.

But it was Ebbsfleet who rallied the late charge and they ran out as victors to claim only their second win of the season.