Grays Athletic 0-3 Ebbsfleet Utd

Holmes fired Fleet ahead with a spectacular opener

Ebbsfleet romped to victory over fellow strugglers Grays Athletic to pile more misery on home manager Julian Dicks.

Peter Holmes put the visitors ahead with a spectacular 35-yard effort that sailed over bemused keeper Preston Edwards after just seven minutes.

Fleet doubled their lead when Magno Vieira struck from outside the box.

And Ricky Shakes sidefooted in the third from close range following a fine cross from Clint Easton to wrap up the win before the break.

Grays, who have now lost their last three matches, barely mustered a shot on goal during a dismal first half and they only improved marginally after the break.

And although Shakes was a constant menace, Liam Daish's men also rarely threatened during a drab second period.

But the points were already safe after a clinical first-half display and Fleet's win sees them move up one place to 21st in the Blue Square Premier table, four points ahead of Grays in 23rd spot.

Grays Athletic: Edwards, Logombe, Obaze, Hoyte, Bunce, Davis, Hickie (Cissoko 45), Dean, Graham, Red, Onibuje (Wilson 45).
Subs Not Used: Vernazza, Crowther, James.

Ebbsfleet United: Cronin, Salmon, Crooks, Pooley, Easton, Stavrinou, Bailey (Wills 87), Holmes, West (Welsh 75), Shakes, Vieira (Ginty 82).
Subs Not Used: Forshaw, Henry.

Goals: Holmes 7, Vieira 13, Shakes 42.

Att: 793.

Ref: M Thompson (England).