Ebbsfleet suffered another home defeat in the National League on Tuesday night.

They conceded a dreadful goal against old foes Sutton and rarely looked like getting back in the game after that.

Fleet have taken four points on their travels already but lost the midfield battle here and are still waiting to get off the mark at Stonebridge Road.

Fleet came into the game on the back of a 1-0 win at Hartlepool but manager Daryl McMahon made three changes to his starting XI.

Dave Winfield returned after serving a three-match ban as McMahon switched to a back four with Sam Magri and Chris Bush operating as full-backs.

That meant a reshuffle in midfield, with Corey Whitely's two goals in his last two games earning him a start while Ebou Adams and Myles Weston dropped to the bench.

New signing Michael Cheek made his full debut up front alongside Danny Kedwell, replacing Darren McQueen.

Sutton won a corner in the first minute and when the ball was only half-cleared, Kenny Davis saw his hooked volley deflect just wide.

But the home side were quickly into their stride.

Sean Shields stood up a great cross with his left foot and Cheek thought he'd scored with a downward header but Charlie Clough did brilliantly to clear off the line.

Shields looked to have the measure of Dale Bennett, turning away from the right-back again moments later. Again his cross was inviting and this time Andy Drury planted a header just wide.

The movement of Whitely gave Ebbsfleet a useful outlet and Sutton keeper Jamie Butler was lucky to escape a caution when he raced out of his goal and fouled Whitely near the touchline.

At the other end, Nathan Ashmore saved twice from Aaron Drinan in as many minutes. First he pushed a Drinan shot round the post when Sutton broke at pace down the right, then caught a header from the same player when the resulting corner was returned into the danger zone.

Sutton were enjoying a good spell now but Ebbsfleet looked untroubled at the back - until the 32nd minute.

Jack Powell's header back to Ashmore lacked power and Craig Eastmond pounced on the error, nipping in to touch the ball past Ashmore and over the line.

Fleet's shape disappeared completely in the closing stages of the first half as Sutton got a stranglehold in midfield.

Vast gaps were opening up between the red shirts at either end of the pitch and Josh Taylor was allowed space to pick up the ball and shoot over.

Powell's shot from distance forced Butler into a save on the stroke of half-time but otherwise the U's were comfortable.

Magri pushed right up at the start of the second half and linked well with Whitely, whose low shot from an angle forced Butler into action.

But there was little to suggest a change in the balance of play and Ebbsfleet almost fell further behind. They were caught sleeping by a quick throw-in and were lucky to see Drinan drag his shot wide of the far post.

On came McQueen for Cheek but still the home side lacked legs in midfield, either giving the ball away or simply getting there second.

Dan Wishart rattled the bar with a wicked dipping free-kick and returning skipper Winfield was replaced by Myles Weston in another change of shape before Adams took Drury's place.

Taylor headed wide from Wishart's cross as Sutton threatened to put the game to bed.

Whitely finally injected some urgency into Ebbsfleet's play, surging towards the box, although his shot deflected wide.

Sutton, past masters in the art of game management, were too smart for Fleet in the closing stages and defended their penalty area superbly.

Bush headed Magri's cross agonisingly wide deep in stoppage-time and with that went any hope of a late equaliser.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Magri, Winfield (Weston 67mins), King, Bush, Whitely, Drury (Adams 71mins), Powell, Shields, Kedwell, Cheek (McQueen 61mins). Subs not used: Miles, Coulson.

Sutton: Butler, Bennett, Clough, Collins, Davis, Lafayette (Bolarinwa 50mins), Cadogan (Beckwith 72mins), Eastmond, Wishart, Taylor (Brown 84mins), Drinan. Subs not used: Ayunga, Wright.

Attendance: 1,506.