Defender Ronny Nelson scored the winner as Ebbsfleet took the derby spoils against Maidstone.

The former Tonbridge centre-back headed home the only goal just before the hour mark to give Fleet the points in Tuesday night’s National League South encounter.

Victory moved Josh Wright’s side to within a point of George Elokobi’s men in the top half and they also have two games in hand.

Ebbsfleet comfortably had the best of the first half at Stonebridge Road, carrying the greater attacking threat.

They had joy through both wing-backs - Stones old boy Charlie Seaman initially looking dangerous with a couple of strong runs down the right - before Lennon Peake got into the game down the left in Fleet’s 3-5-2 system.

Seaman fired narrowly wide after Fleet moved play across the pitch through Kwesi Appiah and Fin Barnes, while George Fowler stayed strong to hold off Appiah from Dom Samuel’s pass as Fleet showed early promise.

Maidstone carried limited attacking ambition in the first half, although Antony Papadopoulos, lining up on the left, worked Gio Bellagambi as the visitors forced three successive corners.

Midway through the first half, Fleet defender Ben Chapman went close from 20 yards after cutting inside on his left foot, Peake hit the outside of the post with a low drive and Stones keeper Nathan Harness denied Fin Barnes from Samuel’s pull-back.

Chapman was booked for holding Deon Moore early in the second half and Stones midfielder John Gilbert - the National League South player-of-the-month - brushed the top of the net from the resultant free-kick.

There was a big chance for Fleet at the other end when Samuel fed Seaman, whose low cross found Appiah at the back post but the veteran striker couldn’t finish.

The hosts went in front soon after, though, as Peake’s inswinging corner was headed home by big defender Nelson at the far post in the 59th minute.

Maidstone - watched by former favourites Ben Brookes, Temi Eweka and Aaron Blair - made a double change in a bid to get back into the game with Hamzad Kargo and Kweku Lucan replacing Jephte Tanga and Moore.

But the visitors were struggling to create much and Fleet threatened again when Harness got a strong hand to Chapman’s fierce strike.

Fowler sent a header over from a Teo Kurtaran corner inside the last 10 minutes but was injured in the process and replaced by David Agbontohoma.

Maidstone were effectively down to 10 men in added time, with TJ Bramble hobbling around on one leg.

They had a chance to equalise when Leo Hamblin swung over a cross from the left but Lucan lifted the ball over the bar.

Ebbsfleet: Bellagambi, Chapman, Olagunju, Nelson, Seaman, Hessenthaler, Barnes (Manktelow 74mins), Kennedy, Peake (Coker 83mins), Samuel (Coley 74mins), Appiah. Subs not used: Cousins, Passley, Cosgrave, Domi.

Maidstone: Harness, Sesay, Beeden, Fowler (Agbontohoma 83mins), Hamblin, Corne (Kurtaran 80mins), Bramble, Tanga (Lucan 63mins), Gilbert, Papadopoulos (Court 79mins), Moore (Kargbo 63mins). Subs not used: Golding, Holden.

Referee: Adam Merchant.

Attendance: 1,765 (404 away).

Sign up to our Non-league Football newsletter and you can enjoy all the best bits from KentOnline every week direct to your inbox! To sign up, click here