Ebbsfleet United's recent turn in form came to an abrupt end away to league leaders Oxford United, who ran out 4-2 winners on an entertaining afternoon at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford took control after only four minutes through midfielder Alfie Potter, who cut inside from the right wing to drill past Lance Cronin. Before Liam Daish's side could come to terms with their poor start, the home side doubled their advantage just five minutes later through James Constable. His right foot shot was driven across Cronin who had to pick the ball out of the back of his own goal twice in the opening 10 minutes.

Fleet were unable to create too many clear chances in the first half, but Magno Vieira's headed effort after 25 minutes was tipped over by Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke.

Vieira's fortunes changed though after the break as his right foot finish inside the six-yard box on 56 minutes reduced the deficit to 2-1. Michael West's intelligent through ball was met by the frontman who fired home. The pair almost repeated the feat minutes later, but Vieira's miskick inside the area meant the move came to nothing.

Just as a monumental comeback looked on the cards, Potter picked up his second of the afternoon with an exquisite chip over Cronin from around 30 yards out to extend the home side's lead to 3-1 just after the hour mark. Not wanting to feel left out, Constable also bagged his second goal seven minutes later to make it 4-1, drilling through a field of Fleet defenders after Potter's original effort was saved.

Substitute Scott Ginty pulled back a consolation goal for Fleet two minutes from time with a curling effort past Clarke, but it was too late to put pressure on an impressive Oxford.

Fleet stay inside the bottom four in 22nd place.