Substitute Aaron Cosgrave’s second-half goal ensured Ebbsfleet won their first National League South home match of this season against Chippenham on Saturday.

Cosgrave netted in the 72nd minute to make it two victories in two for the Fleet this campaign as it ended 1-0 to them at Stonebridge Road.

They had created the first chance inside two minutes as midfielder George Moncur curled just wide of keeper Will Henry’s left-hand post.

Seven minutes later, away striker Sol Wanjau-Smith burst forward, only for his effort to be straight at goalkeeper Mark Cousins.

Josh Wright’s hosts were forced into an early substitution when left-sided player Ben Coker hobbled off and was replaced by Toby Edser in the 16th minute. Edser went to a central midfield position while Ben Chapman drifted out wide.

Cousins was adjudged to have made a fingertip save to thwart Reece Fleet in front of a 1,275-strong crowd.

On the half-hour mark, Olaf Koszela nodded over Caine Bradbury’s corner at the back post for Chippenham before experienced holding midfielder Fleet sent an effort flashing wide from long distance.

Ebbsfleet striker Dominic Samuel failed to test Henry with a powerful attempt.

But Gary Horgan’s team went close again at the end of the opening 45 minutes. Tom Owen-Evans blasted straight at Cousins, with Wanjau-Smith having glided through.

Eight minutes after the restart, the home team saw a goal disallowed. Samuel steered in Chapman’s right-wing cross but the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.

Ebbsfleet continued to knock on the door and went close again shortly before the hour.

With left-back Ethan Vaughan off the pitch, having got treatment, Henry made a point-blank save to deny Josh Coley from Seaman’s left-wing cross.

But the hosts did go ahead when Cosgrave struck.

Fellow substitute Josh Passley had initially crossed from the right before Moncur sent the ball back into a dangerous area from the opposite flank to allow Cosgrave to get off the mark for this season.

Moments later, referee Dan England dismissed Fleet penalty appeals as Cosgrave, 26, went down.

Ebbsfleet keeper Cousins had to be at his best to make an excellent save to tip over defender Luke Haines’ 30-yard pile-driver.

And while the home team largely dealt with seven minutes of injury time, they were again reliant on Cousins in the final minute.

But he saved well from substitute Harlee Vozza, who had broken through, before he confidently gathered a last-gasp corner.

Home manager Wright had made just one enforced change from their starting line-up that had been 2-0 victors at Dagenham & Redbridge last weekend.

Ex-Gillingham player Samuel replaced one of their scorers at Dagenham, Kwesi Appiah, who missed out through injury.

Wanjau-Smith, formerly of Maidstone, came into the visitors’ starting line-up.

The match came on the same day it was confirmed 19-year-old Ebbsfleet midfielder Maxx Manktelow has joined Isthmian Premier outfit Folkestone on a 28-day loan.

Ebbsfleet will be at home to Chelmsford on Tuesday.

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins, Seaman (Passley 65mins), Coker (Edser 16mins), Hessenthaler, Ehmer, Dallison, Moncur (Kennedy 80mins), Samuel (Cosgrave 65mins), Coley, Chapman, Olagunju. Subs not used: Bellagambi, Fielding, Peake.

Chippenham Town: Henry, Colwell, Mehew (Sady 84mins), Haines, Owen-Evans (Evans 84mins), Vaughan, Koszela (Vozza 84mins), Bradbury (Castro 68mins), Fleet, Minturn, Wanjau-Smith (Touray 61mins). Subs not used: Poffley, Messenger.

Referee: Dan England.

Attendance: 1,275.