Ebbsfleet United

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Mitchell Cole

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Stevenage 1-0 Ebbsfleet

A solitary Mitchell Cole goal was enough to earn Stevenage Borough all three points against Ebbsfleet United at Broadhall Way on Saturday afternoon.

The win keeps Graham Westley's side in the hunt for the play-offs as the end of the Blue Square Premier campaign draws nearer.

The opening period was evenly contested but the hosts looked more likely to make something happen, while Fleet struggled to convert their possession into goalscoring chances.

Stevenage came close to breaking the deadlock after 16 minutes when Steve Morison pounced on a loose ball but fired his shot straight at Lance Cronin in the Ebbsfleet goal.

They were on the front foot again just one minute later but Callum Willock saw his shot take a lick of paint off the post, much to the relief of Cronin.

Ebbsfleet responded well but Ricky Shakes' angled shot was intercepted by Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day.

Boro finally got the breakthrough they were looking for in the 31st minute when winger Mitchell Cole played a one-two with Willock and fired the ball past the onrushing Cronin and into the bottom-left corner.

Ebbsfleet's Stacy Long had a good chance to net the equaliser just before the interval but saw his shot from just outside the box go wide of the post.

Long's miss was an indicator of what was ahead for Ebbsfleet supporters as their side wasted a number of chances to draw level.

However, the hosts also missed a number of glaring opportunities to put the game to bed.

Cole, Junior Mendes and Peter Vincenti all failed to hit the target in the closing stage of the encounter but it didn't matter as they held on to collect a vital three points.

Stevenage bookings: None.

Ebbsfleet bookings: Opinel.

Ref: I Smedley (Derbyshire).

Att: 1,913.