Ebbsfleet beat out-of-form rivals Dover at home on Saturday to progress to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

In-form striker Dominic Poleon broke the visitors’ resistance towards the end of the first half with his 10th goal this season before defender Sido Jombati sealed their 2-0 victory after the restart.

The hosts, coming into the match on the back of eight National League South wins in a row, threatened first at Stonebridge Road in front of a crowd of 1,057 with three minutes played. Whites goalkeeper and birthday boy Stuart Nelson made a big save to thwart winger Darren McQueen who had broken behind Dover’s three centre-halves.

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb was unhappy in the 11th minute as away skipper Lee Martin escaped a booking for a foul. From the free-kick, Haydn Hollis headed wide Fleet captain Chris Solly’s right-wing delivery.

Both Alfie Pavey and Reece Grant then attempted to bring down home players as they tried to counter-attack, five minutes later, with the former becoming the first player to go into referee Michael Robertson-Tant’s book.

Ebbsfleet were forced into an early substitution in the 34th minute after Kieran Monlouis hobbled off and he was replaced by Craig Tanner.

The visitors had defended well but, five minutes before half-time, Ebbsfleet’s top scorer Poleon broke the deadlock. He received a ball from Hollis after a great move and turned well before he fired past Nelson.

Poleon almost got a second soon after, too, as Nelson got down well to save his long-range effort.

But the Fleet did hold a one-goal advantage at the interval, with their goalkeeper, Mark Cousins, yet to be seriously tested in the first period.

Two minutes into the second half, Josh Wright tried his luck for the home team, blasting wide with an ambitious attempt.

Kutrieb’s side continued to push forward and Rakish Bingham poked straight at Nelson in the 50th minute after a lovely flowing move.

Two minutes later, the home side almost scored a lucky second when Nelson flapped at a corner from substitute Tanner which hit the bar.

Dover’s Martin was finally cautioned just before the hour mark to ironic cheers from the home contingent.

But the visitors finally threatened on 63 minutes. Arjanit Krasniqi’s high free-kick fell to Myles Judd and he crossed to Mitch Brundle but he failed to make a proper connection at the back post before Ebbsfleet keeper Cousins made a sharp save seconds later.

With 20 minutes to go, Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler threw on Luke Wanadio and Chike Kandi for Baptiste and Grant.

But at the other end, the hosts doubled their lead in the 74th minute. Jombati found himself unmarked and nodded in a Tanner corner.

Poleon should have had his second and his side’s third of the afternoon but fired wide of the target when it looked easier to score.

Six minutes from time, substitute Wanadio came close to giving Dover hope, although his effort was gathered by Cousins in fairly simple fashion.

Martin also went close in the 88th minute, as he forced a good save from Cousins, before Poleon looked to lay it on a plate for Bingham at the other end. He, however, blasted wide of Nelson’s right-hand post.

There was still time for away striker Pavey to send a free-kick well over as Dover fell to a sixth defeat in seven and Ebbsfleet made it nine wins in nine this season.

The Fleet earned £3,375 in prize money as they progressed to the Third Qualifying Round.

Both teams made numerous changes after their midweek league exploits.

Whites made four changes which saw Pavey recalled and he was partnered up front by Grant against his old club, while Tyrone Sterling and Krasniqi came in too. They replaced Alfie Paxman, Wanadio, George Wilkinson and Kandi.

For the Fleet, Jombati, McQueen, Ben Chapman, midfielder Monlouis and Hollis came in for Luke O'Neill, Omari Sterling-James, Tanner, Christian N'Guessan and Greg Cundle as they made five changes.

Ex-Gillingham striker Greg Cundle had scored twice in the win against Braintree on Tuesday but he wasn’t included in the squad altogether.

Dover goalkeeper Nelson celebrated his 41st birthday on the day of the game.

The teams had met in the league last month at Stonebridge Road, Ebbsfleet able to earn a 3-0 success on that occasion.

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins, Martin, Wright, Jombati, Bingham, McQueen (Edser 85mins), Poleon, Solly, Chapman (Paxman 77mins), Monlouis (Tanner 34mins), Hollis. Subs not used: O’Neill, Sterling-James, N’Guessan, Coulthirst.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Krasniqi (Wilkinson 77mins), Goodman, Brundle, Higgs, Pavey, Martin, Sterling, Baptiste (Wanadio 70mins), Grant (Kandi 70mins). Subs not used: Paxman, Moses, Carney, Byford.

Referee: Michael Robertson-Tant.

Attendance: 1,057.