Captain Danny Kedwell scored twice against his former club to keep Fleet in the National League South title race on Saturday.

Ebbsfleet were rocked by an early Welling goal but they hit back in style with Kedwell leading the way.

It means they still trail leaders Maidenhead with just five games left to play.

Fleet made one change from last week's draw at Hampton, bringing in Jack Powell for Dean Rance in midfield.

Welling were without recent signing Ben Martin but another new recruit, Tyrone Marsh, was fit enough to be named among the substitutes.

The Wings came into the game having reached the Kent Senior Cup final in midweek. With confidence high, they got off to a flying start.

Bustling forward Alex Cathline picked up an early booking for a foul on Fleet centre-back Mark Phillips.

But the Wings quickly made the right impression by taking a seventh-minute lead.

Rhys Murrell-Williamson's delightful cross from the left-wing was headed in via the inside of the upright by Dan Walker at the far post.

Walker nearly doubled his tally three minutes later. Cathline bundled his way through the Fleet defence and his left-foot cross-shot fell to Walker at the far post but Jack Connors was able to clear off the line.

For the opening half-hour, Ebbsfleet never got going. Only Darren McQueen, who got in behind the Welling defence but was denied by keeper Chris Lewington, offered any kind of threat.

Fleet drew level on 30 minutes. Andy Drury picked out Danny Kedwell at the far post and his cross was converted by Jack Powell from close range.

The home side went ahead on 41 minutes when Jack Powell's deep corner was converted at the far post by Kenny Clark.

The home side had seen a penalty appeal turned down as Marvin McCoy's cross appeared to hit Murrell-Williamson's hand. But referee Robert Massey-Ellis pointed to the spot on 44 minutes when Rickie Hayles handled Kedwell's pass.

Having missed at Hampton last week, Kedwell stepped up again, to this time thunder hit shot past Lewington.

Welling replaced Hayles, who hobbled through the first half, and Cathline at the break.

They almost got back into the game on 52 minutes but the dangerous Murrell-Williamson saw his left-foot shot hit the post and Walker blazed the rebound high and wide.

Welling were reduced to 10 men on 67 minutes when Danny Waldren was sent-off for a professional foul on McQueen. Waldren was the last defender when his attempted header back to Lewington never got there and the referee was left with no alternative when Waldren pulled the striker back.

It was 4-1 on 70 minutes when McCoy got behind the Welling defence and squared for McQueen to tap into an empty net.

Drury had his header cleared off the line on 73 minutes as the Fleet pushed for more goals.

The fifth arrived three minutes later as Lewington failed to claim a cross, Jordan Brown missed the ball and Kedwell fired home from close range.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Cook (Shields 56mins), Connors, McCoy, Phillips, Clark, Powell, Drury (Rance 76mins), Kedwell, McQueen (Bubb 71mins), Deering. Subs not used: Winfield, Jordan.

Welling: Lewington, Fish, Brown, Fuseini, Hayles (Hatton 46mins), Walsh, Walker, Waldren, Cathline (Richards 46mins), Joseph-Dubois (Marsh 71mins), Murrell-Williamson. Subs not used: Amu, Johnson.

Attendance: 1,767.