Ebbsfleet United

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Moses Ashikodi

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Luton 2-3 Ebbsfleet

Luton Town missed out on the opportunity to get back among the play-off places as they lost 3-2 to struggling Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

Liam Hatch opened the scoring for the home side but a Magno Vieira brace gave the Fleet a first half ascendancy.

Tom Craddock netted an equaliser midway through the second half but Moses Ashikodi wrapped up all three points for the visitors with his rapid response.

Both sides started brightly and any number of chances could have gone in. Asa Hall saw a sixth minute shot go wide for the Hatters before Kevin Pilkington was forced to deny Ebbsfleet winger Ricky Shakes.

The Fleet's best early chance fell to Peter Holmes but Pilkington was again on hand, as he expertly palmed the volley around the post - however the acrobatics proved too much for the Luton stopper and he was subsequently replaced by Shane Gore.

The home side found themselves on the back foot for the remainder of the half and were fortunate to break the deadlock on 28 minutes with Hatch scoring his first goal for the club. The striker made the goal for himself as he drove into the box before unleashing a lethal left-foot shot.

The goal lifted the Hatters but Fleet keeper Lance Cronin paved the way for his side's first half comeback as he restricted their lead to just one goal.

With the first half winding down Vieira introduced himself to the match. Alex Stavrinou found Vieira, who ghosted past the Town defence before making the finish look easy.

But he wasn't finished there and on the stroke of half time the goalscorer was on hand to poke home after Shakes beat an onrushing Gore to the ball before feeding a well-placed Vieira.

Fleet emerged for the second half with much more purpose and thought they had won a penalty as Holmes was upended by George Pilkington but the referee waved okay on.

Ashikodi then came close to finding a third for Fleet but failed to do justice to Stefan Bailey through ball.

And just when the home fans were beginning to turn on their side Craddock leveled the score, on 65 minutes, after latching on to a flick on in the goal area by Hall.

But the baying fans weren't kept quiet for long as Luton allowed Ashikodi to bury the ball from close range just two minutes later after failing to deal with a corner.

Ebbsfleet thought they had grabbed a fourth in fact when Hatch headed home a Craddock cross but after an age the assistant referee finally raised his flag.

Luton bookings: Keane

Ebbsfleet United bookings: Charles

Att: 6658

Ref: Marvyn Amphlett