David Bridges scored his first goal of the season to seal the tie

FA Trophy holders Stevenage Borough safely made their way into the second round with victory over last season's semi-final opponents Ebbsfleet.

Boro took the lead on 14 minutes with a sweet strike from Chris Beardsley after a quickly-taken free-kick.

Ebbsfleet rarely troubled the Stevenage goal, whilst Mitchell Cole rattled the crossbar and went close with another.

The game was made safe in the last minute when David Bridges curled in a left-footed shot from 22-yards.

Stevenage manager Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"I don't think we were at our fluent best. It's that time of year, the pitch cuts up. The ball gets a bobble or an awkward bounce.

"I think we deserved the win, had by far the better of the chances and I think in the second half could have been very convincing winners."

Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish told BBC Radio Kent:

"We had a decent start but didn't defend very well for the first goal."

"Sometimes it's just not to be. We get Stefan Bailey back (from illness) and then lose Westy [Michael West]. It's just not our day.

"It's not a silver lining to have to concentrate on the league."

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