National League South leaders Ebbsfleet extended their unbeaten run to nine matches with a superb win over Sutton United on Tuesday night.

Jordan Parkes scored a sublime goal - his seventh strike of the season - to win the game although Brandon Hall was the Fleet's hero after he saved a penalty in the 89th minute.

Sutton finished with 10 men when Bedsente Gomis was sent off for striking Matt Fish.

Michael West's name appeared on the team sheet for the first time this season, the midfielder - on his way back from knee surgery - included on the bench after coming through last week's development game.

With Dean Rance suspended, there was one change to the Fleet starting XI. Robbie Willmott came into the side and Stuart Lewis took on Rance's defensive duties at the base of a midfield diamond.

Sutton, having ended Gosport's unbeaten start to the season on Saturday, brought in Kevin Amankwaah and Craig Dundas for Stuart Fleetwood and Ross Stearn.

The visitors were on the front foot immediately and Craig Eastmond drove a free-kick straight into the Fleet wall from the left-hand side.

However, an outrageous Parkes bicycle kick almost gave Ebbsfleet the lead when play switched to the other end. Sutton keeper Ross Worner sprang high to his right to keep the ball out and then got down well to save another Parkes effort from the corner which followed.

But only the width of the crossbar rescued the Fleet moments later. Eastmond let fly with a swerving long-range effort which beat Hall and smacked against the woodwork.

Back came the hosts, Fish cutting in from the right flank and forcing Worner to beat out his powerful left-footed strike at the near post.

Fish then delivered a cross which reached Lewis, 20 yards out, and the midfielder crashed a first-time shot wide of Worner's left-hand post.

Danny Kedwell, who was close on several occasions to sending Godden clear with little flicks, volleyed over from Parkes' near-post corner before Ebbsfleet went close from another set-piece.

This one was clearly the product of work on the training ground, Parkes drifting a deep delivery all the way to the far post and Godden arriving late with a diving header which Sutton managed to block.

Lewis tested Worner again with a firm drive from the edge of the box and it looked like the Fleet were getting a grip in proceedings - but their visitors rode out the storm and reached half-time with no further alarms.

The second half started in cagey fashion with both sides knowing just how crucial the first goal could be.

Parkes rifled a half-volley just past the post from 20 yards but it looked increasingly likely that it would take something special to break the deadlock.

And then something very special did come along.

John Paul Kissock tricked his way into space on the right-hand corner of the Sutton box and rolled the ball into Parkes, whose precise curling shot was too good even for the excellent Worner as it flew into the top corner.

That really got the home faithful going and it was the signal for the game to open up.

For Sutton, Dan Wishart fired a free-kick into the wall and spanked another shot over the bar before Godden turned in the U's box only to see his strike charged down by Amankwaah.

West was sent on for the last 24 minutes and Sutton boss Paul Doswell rang the changes in an attempt to get back into the game.

The visitors threw men forward and they wre almost caught on the counter-attack, Godden seeing a shot deflected just wide after Kedwell had sent him racing clear from halfway.

Sutton piled on the pressure late on and it looked as though they were set to deny the Fleet victory when referee Chris Pollard awarded a penalty with one minute of normal time remaining.

Craig Dundas stepped up but his low spot-kick was brilliantly kept out by Hall, who dived to his right and pushed the ball against the post.

Players from both sides were involved in a melee as Fleet cleared the danger and Gomis was dismissed for his role in what followed.

Ebbsfleet survived four added minutes and the home faithful raised the roof when Mr Pollard finally blew for time.

Ebbsfleet: Hall, Fish, Howe, S Lewis, Clark, Bonner, Willmott (West 66mins), Parkes, Kedwell, Godden (Haynes 79mins), Kissock. Subs not used: Acheampong, Miles, Cunnington.

Sutton: Worner, Amankwaah, Spence, Beckwith, Eastmond, Collins, McAllister (Stearn 65mins), Gomis, Dundas, Fitchett (Fleetwood 73mins), Wishart (Bolarinwa 73mins). Subs not used: John, Shaw.

Attendance: 947.