Halifax Town return north tonight, with their second defeat away from home this season.
Town boss Chris Wilder declined to do a press interview after the game leaving the honours to coach Lee Butler, who pulled no punches in saying that the players are badly letting down the manager and the club at the moment.
The Shaymen failed to make good opportunities to test the new Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Scott Tynan with efforts from Darryn Stamp and Steve Bushell the only efforts.
The two sides were level at halftime but despite the manager asking for his team to keep their concentration and keep it tight at the back, Town found themselves behind after just four minutes of the restart.
Ebbsfleet worked the ball down the right hand side, Mark De Bolla deflected shot found Stacy Long and his shot from close range was the only goal of the game.
Chris Wilder brought in new loan signing Anthony Griffith to make his debut, while Jake Wright started his first game this season in a three man centre back combination with Adam Quinn and Cortez Belle with Rob Scott and Matt Doughty pushing forward.
On eight minutes, Griffith's foul gave the home side the first opportunity 30 yards from goal. Mawson set up a five man wall but the shot from De Bolla went past the wall but the goalkeeper was in a good position to save.
Griffith won the ball on 12 minutes, he found Andy Campbell on the right hand side, ball went wide for Rob Scott but his cross into the area was cleared for a throw.
Mawson's long ball down field found Campbell on side his cross was aimed for Matt Doughty on the far side but the ball was out of play.
Luke Moore got behind the defence on 18 minutes, Mawson came to the edge of the box and the striker went around him but fired into the side netting from a tight angle.
A foul by Cortez Belle on the edge of the box gave George Purcell a shooting opportunity, his fierce shot was beaten away well by Mawson and Town cleared.
Another foul by Belle, which saw the former Chester defender booked, on Long, was taken shot by Purcell to Eribenne whose first time shot went well wide of the post.
Stamp was booked for dissent after a Jake Wright foul in midfield, and then Purcell got behind Scott his pull back in the box was well spotted by Belle who cleared the danger well.
Belle's long throw to Stamp on 33 minutes, his shot from distance from on target but saved easily by Tynan.
A surging run by Cortez Belle on 36 minutes, found Doughty on the left, his cross was towards the head of Stamp but was wide of the right hand post.
Eribenne played the ball past Adam Quinn, appeals for handball were turned down by referee Mr Malone, however the assistant referee signalled for the free kick. It was taken short but a great block by Wright saw the ball go out for a throw by the halfway line.
The home side could have taken the lead just before the break. Bushell headed a cross out for a corner, the ball in from Long found debutant Michael Bostwick at the edge of the box and Mawson did well at his left hand post to keep the ball out. There was still time for another home attack which saw Moore go down in the box. He was booked for diving.
Town started the second half well with Tom Kearney's free kick headed wide for a corner by Paul McCarthy. Doughty's ball in was towards Belle but Ebbsfleet cleared and scored their goal two minutes later.
Rob Scott's throw in on 50 minutes was flicked on by Stamp to Bushell but the midfielder wasn't set for the effort and his header was wide of the target.
Belle was substituted for an injury along with Griffith for Killeen and Torpey as Town tried to get back into the game.
Long ran down the middle and found Purcell to his left, Mawson narrowed the angle and the resulting shot nestled by the side netting.
On 62 minutes, Kearney's free kick was met by the head of Stamp but he was always under pressure and headed wide.
A minute later Stamp was fouled, Kearney to Scott and then to Campbell on the right saw Town win a corner after the cross was deflected. However Eribenne was on hand to clear Torpey's corner.
Danny Forrest replaced Stamp on 69 minutes in the final throw of the dice for the Town boss.
Quinn's ball forward on 75 minutes found Forrest who was fouled. A short free kick saw Steve Bushell fire the ball over the wall and towards the top corner but a fine save from Tynan ensured he kept a clean sheet.
Forrest won a corner three minutes later, Torpey's ball was too high for everyone in the box, Campbell played a one two with Kearney and his cross was met by Adam Quinn's header wide but the flag was up for offside anyway.
Doughty and Torpey combined on 84 minutes, cross in was headed by Forrest across goal but Killeen couldn't get on the end of it and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Campbell was booked in the final minute for a foul on Purcell.
Town entertain Droylsden on Bank Holiday Monday, kick-off at the Shay is 3pm
Who was your man of the match this afternoon. Text HFAX and the surname to 88442 before 12pm tomorrow and we'll announce the winner tomorrow afternoon.(Texts cost your normal price).
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By Kelly Gilchrist
