It was an afternoon to forget for the Spitfires as they were beaten by Ebbsfleet at the Kuflink Stadium.

The first half was a tight one, with the sides all square at the end of it.

Three goals from the hosts early on in the second-half would see them go on to win.

The hosts had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute, Rakish Bingham received the ball on the edge of the box and drilled an effort towards goal but saw McDonnell get down well to save his attempt.

The next chance of the game fell to the feet of Paul McCallum in the 16th minute.

He uncharacteristically dragged his shot wide to the left of the goal with what was the Spitfires first real attempt on goal of the game.

The Spitfires next chance of the game came for Luke Croll in the 32nd minute when he met a corner whipped in by Chris Maguire, Mark Cousins held his effort before sending the hosts onto a counter attack that resulted in nothing.

McCallum was found in the box in the 41st minute, he headed the ball towards the left side of goal but his shot was matched by Cousins.

Bryant Bilongo headed the hosts ahead three minutes into the second-half.

Bingham then went on to double their lead in the 53rd minute.

Dominic Poleon had a go in the 60th minute but saw his effort saved well by McDonnell with his feet.

The hosts would then add a third through Luke O’Neill in the 62nd minute.

Ben Reeves had a go on goal for the Spitfires in the 80th minute, his shot was collected by Cousins.

Dominic Samuel aimed a shot towards the bottom right corner in the 84th minute, McDonnell got down well to deny him.

Scott Quigley hit the outside of the post with a strike from the edge of the box in the 85th minute.

This would go on to be the last chance of the game, with the Spitfires falling to defeat.

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins (GK), O’Neill (86), Wright (C), Bingham (72), Poleon, Domi, Edser (72), Chapman, Skura, Bilongo, Kenlock

Subs: Cisse, McQueen, Clifford (72), Fogarty (86), Samuel (72)

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Martin (C), Taylor, McCallum, Boldewijn, Croll, Nwabuokei (64), Maguire (64), Longe-King, Quigley, Rutherford

Subs: Atangana (64), Francillette, Reeves (64), Hodson, Greenwood

Attendance: 1617 (137 away)