Ebbsfleet reached the Kent Senior Cup semi-finals with a narrow win over Phoenix Sports on Tuesday night.

Charlie Sheringham scored the only goal at Stonebridge Road, following his hat-trick against Maidstone in the last round.

The visitors gave a good account of themselves but just lacked the killer touch in front of goal.

As expected, Ebbsfleet fielded a completely different team from the weekend's FA Trophy defeat at Oxford City.

There were seven senior players in their starting XI, including Sheringham, Jordan Parkes and Michael West, while manager Daryl McMahon and coach Stacy Long made up the numbers on the bench.

Phoenix, playing in the competition for the first time this season following their promotion to the Ryman League, made just three changes. Among those drafted in by boss Steve O'Boyle were former Fleet players Steve Springett and Cesc Fakinos.

Alex Osborn's low cross from the right was turned over the bar by Casey Johnson, who arrived late into the six-yard box.

The visitors grew into the game and started to create chances of their own. Russell Bedford lashed a shot wide and James Mascoll then delivered a terrific left-wing cross which Springett headed wide at the far post.

Mascoll's next cross was headed straight at Jon Miles by Harrison Carnegie.

At the other end, Parkes played a good pass into West's feet and he set the ball back for Sheringham, whose shot flew high over the crossbar.

Ebbsfleet's next chance came from a Phoenix corner. West hit a long ball which Osborn ran onto, rounding goalkeeper Steve Phillips but seeing his effort from a narrow angle cleared off the line.

But the visitors then came within inches of taking the lead. Carnegie's curling shot from the right-hand corner of the box beat Miles and came back off the post, with substitute Adrian Stone unable to convert the rebound.

Both sides were forced to make a change during the first half, Stone having replaced Ricky Freeman early on and then Ebbsfleet sending on Long for Anthony Acheampong.

Acheampong, skipper for the night, had landed awkwardly and went straight down the tunnel. With club captain Tom Bonner set to serve a three-match suspension over the Christmas period, Fleet will need Acheampong fit as his deputy in central defence.

Phoenix kept up their positive approach and Carnegie fired over from Alistair Gordon's cross.

But the home side took the lead six minutes before half-time. Dean Pooley, who is now part of the club's administrative staff, started the move by finding West on the edge of the box and his clever flick played in Sheringham for a neat shot which went in off the far post.

McMahon came on at the start of the second half and was straight into the action.

He shot wide from 30 yards and then fed Karn Miller-Neave wide on the left for a cross which eventually dropped at Sheringham's feet 12 yards out. Sheringham had two bites at the cherry but couldn't force the ball past Phillips.

Fleet were starting to boss the game now with Phoenix misplacing too many passes.

West played a slide-rule pass which sent Johnson through on goal but the winger's touch let him down and Phillips was able to rush out and save at his feet.

Moments later Johnson cut in from the left and warmed Phillips' palms with a strike from outside the box.

Miles got right behind Chris Hill's long-range hit at the other end and West limped off before the end, replaced by youngster Charlie Tagg.

O'Boyle had his head in his hands as a spate late crosses into the Fleet box went unconverted and in the end, the hosts were relieved to hear referee Graeme Ions blow for full-time.

Ebbsfleet: Miles, Boulding, Miller-Neave, Pooley, Acheampong (Long 35mins), Denny, Osborn, Parkes (McMahon 46mins), Sheringham, West (Tagg 72mins), Johnson. Subs not used: Stewart, Hughes.

Phoenix: Phillips, Andrews, Hamill (Orome 82mins), Bedford, Springett, Hill, Carnegie, Gordon, Freeman (Stone 10mins), Fakinos (Goodchild 75mins), Mascoll. Subs not used: Mingle, Kemp.

Attendance: 322.