Ebbsfleet must go through the play-offs for the third time in four seasons after missing out on the National League South title.

Daryl McMahon’s side finished runners-up after Maidenhead wrapped up the championship with a 3-0 win at relegated Margate.

Fleet now face a two-legged semi-final against Hampton & Richmond Borough. The first leg will be played in west London on Wednesday night with the return at Stonebridge Road next Sunday.

Ebbsfleet had given themselves a shot at the title by winning at Maidenhead seven days earlier. McMahon's only change from that game was an attacking one with Dean Rance dropped so Darren McQueen could partner Aaron McLean up front.

Kaiman Anderson saw an early shot deflect behind for the visitors but Fleet were ahead in the fifth minute.

McQueen, raiding down the left, squared from the byline and there was Anthony Cook to beat goalkeeper Craig Hill at his near post.

A second goal almost followed moments later when Dave Winfield was denied by not one, but two fine Hill saves at point-blank range.

Ebbsfleet bossed the first half and should have added to their lead before the interval, with the visitors content to pack 10 men behind the ball at all times.

McQueen hooked a volley straight at Hill and Jack Powell's whipped free-kick from 25 yards was carried just wide of the post by a slight deflection.

Between those chances, the home side survived a scare. Marvin McCoy got caught under Reece Fleet's deep cross from the right but Anderson failed to work Nathan Ashmore, planting his shot into the side netting.

Winfield's header from a right-wing corner was almost forced home by Kenny Clark, the Fleet's player-of-the-year throwing himself towards the bouncing ball in a crowded six-yard box.

Aaron McLean then flicked a long ball on for McQueen, who did really well to bring the ball under control before improvising on overhead kick which Hill saved easily.

Powell went even closer with his second free-kick attempt, flashing the ball narrowly over the bar with Hill beaten. Not to be outdone, Andy Drury rattled the bar with a set-piece of his own after Deering had blazed a shot over.

With the visitors sitting so deep, Ebbsfleet found it difficult to cut through but they did go close again before the interval. Drury's header from a Powell corner was scrambled off the line and McLean, following in, was also denied as desperate defending rescued City.

Fleet made a lightning start to the second half. Cook touched home a brilliant low McLean cross but was flagged offside before the same player was thwarted - just - by Hill.

But as news of Maidenhead's second and third goals filtered through, Oxford began to enjoy their best spell of the game.

Godfrey Poku tested Ashmore at his near post and the goalkeeper then made an even better save to deny Jefferson Louis. The veteran striker looked to have lifted his shot over Ashmore but the keeper arched his back and got fingertips to the ball to keep it out.

Knowing the title was now Maidenhead's, the home players and supporters fell rather flat as the second half ticked by.

McLean climbed well to meet a McCoy cross but his header flashed over.

And when McCoy breezed past his man down the Fleet right, his cross ricocheted into Drury's path but the midfielder saw his shot charged down.

McLean then had penalty appeals waved away by referee Lloyd Wood despite some fairly hard evidence to support his claim. The striker's shirt had been ripped from neck to navel but Mr Wood's only response was to ask McLean to change his shirt.

Fleet survived a couple of late scrambles to close out their 12th straight home win and they finished the regular season unbeaten in 20 league matches.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Cook (Shields 55mins), Connors (Mambo 61mins), McCoy, Winfield, Clark, Powell, Drury, McLean, McQueen (Rance 61mins), Deering. Subs not used: Jordan, Phillips.

Oxford: Hill, Poku, Grant, Demuria (Carvalho 64mins), Essuman, Niate, Fleet, Davies, Louis, Anderson (Furlong 73mins), Forde (Fondop 64mins). Subs not used: Peake-Pijnen, Daramola.

Attendance: 2,116.