Ebbsfleet United suffered their first defeat of the Vanarama Conference South season on Saturday.

They were beaten by a 12th-minute Osei Sankofa goal at Whitehawk.

Sankofa was a fixture in the Fleet defence for much of last season but he was released by manager Steve Brown in May - subsequently joining up with fellow ex-Fleet defender Paul Lorraine at Whitehawk.

Ebbsfleet did go close to an equaliser in Brighton, with both Matt Godden and Billy Bricknell striking the woodwork.

Godden raced clear just before the break and lobbed the keeper, only to see his shot come back off the bar, while substitute Bricknell struck the post with an effort late on.

Charlie Sheringham should have done better with headers in each half after good work from both Godden and Anthony Cook, but it wasn’t to be the Fleet’s day.

They're at home to Wealdstone on Bank Holiday Monday.

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Sessegnon, Palmer, McMahon (Johnson 82mins), Acheampong, Clark, Osborn (Bricknell 75mins), Corcoran, Sheringham, Godden, Cook. Subs: Hall, Fraser, Huke.

Attendance: 278.