Ebbsfleet United

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Mansfield 2-0 Ebbsfleet Utd

Ebbsfleet United inched closer towards the dreaded relegation zone after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mansfield Town at Field Mill on Tuesday night.

Stags boss David Holdsworth penned a new four-year deal ahead of the clash and his team responded brilliantly to end a four-match winless streak.

The visitors had more than their fair share of ball possession throughout but were unable to find the telling touch in front of goal.

Ebbsfleet's James Smith latched onto a Stacy Long corner kick but his header went wide of the left-hand upright.

The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock through Daryl Clare and Robert Duffy before Louis Briscoe netted the opening goal in the 22nd minute.

Clare sent through a well-weighted through ball which left the Ebbsfleet defence stranded and Briscoe was on hand to slide the ball under the body of the onrushing Lance Cronin.

Briscoe nearly doubled his and Mansfield's tally on the half-hour mark but fired just wide at the near post.

Mansfield goalkeeper Alan Marriott was also called into action but easily denied efforts from Ricky Shakes and Michael Gash

The hosts doubled their tally just two minutes after the half-time interval when Ryan Williams centred a cross and Duffy met it with a header which evaded the reach of Cronin and bounced in off the upright.

Liam Daish's side were unable to claw their way back into contention as the Stags soaked up all the pressure to record all three points.

Mansfield bookings: None.

Ebbsfleet bookings: None.

Referee: R. Merchant.

Attendance: 1,630.