Ebbsfleet 2 Stalybridge Celtic 1

Holders Ebbsfleet continued their defence of the FA Trophy with a 2-1 win against Stalybridge Celtic at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday.

The Fleet didn’t have it all their own way in this second round clash and had to come from a goal down to set up a third round home clash against Swindon Supermarine on January 31.

Nathan Joynes gave the Conference North visitors the lead after 22 minutes before

second-half goals from Stacy Long and Jamie Hand completed a stirring fightback.

Fleet looked like a side lacking confidence in the first half and Stalybridge made their pressure count on 22 minutes when Torpey’s through ball found Joynes who cut inside to score.

Fleet struggled to break down a resolute Stalybridge defence inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half and this prompted manager Liam Daish to introduce Luke Moore and Ricky Shakes on 58 minutes.

Moore made an immediate impact when he set up Long, who fired home the equaliser on 63 minutes.

Ebbsfleet went ahead five minutes later when Hand fired home. Home fans were left breathing a sigh of relief when Lee Ellington headed at Lance Cronin in injury time.

Ebbsfleet: Cronin, Opinel, Smith, Long (Barrett 89mins), Gash, Stone, Pooley, Ricketts (Shakes 58mins), Purcell, Ibe (Moore 58mins), Hand.

Attendance: 467