Jack King strike boosts Ebbsfleet’s survival hopes

Ebbsfleet boosted their Vanarama National League survival hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 win over basement club Chorley.

Both sides started the day in the bottom two, sitting eight and 12 points adrift of safety respectively and in desperate need of victory in their bid against the drop.

Chorley striker Markus Carver spurned a golden opportunity in the 52nd minute when he latched onto Jack King’s underhit backpass, only to be denied by home goalkeeper David Gregory.

However, King made up for his lapse in concentration with the opening goal five minutes later when he guided in Frankie Sutherland’s teasing free-kick.

Chorley piled on the pressure for an equaliser and had the chance to level from the penalty spot in the 89th minute when Alex Kiwomya was brought down by Gregory, but the Ebbsfleet keeper made amends and saved Alex Newby’s spot-kick to cling onto the three points.