Ebbsfleet United 1 Exeter City 3

EBBSFLEET United have fallen at the first hurdle in the FA Cup for the third consecutive year after a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Exeter City at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Despite taking an early lead through Luke Moore, Fleet surrendered to a visiting side more determined, more organised and full of more belief.

Frustratingly, the Fleet were the masters of their own downfall in front of the second largest crowd of the season.

Moore's opener on 10 minutes was quickly cancelled out after Jamie Mackie stabbed home following an uncharacteristic fumble by Lance Cronin in the Ebbsfleet goal.

The keeper made amends on 30 minutes with an excellent save to deny Mackie from the penalty spot - Peter Hawkins was harshly adjudged to have fouled Mackie as the Exeter man was about to shoot.

The match was over as a contest 10 minutes after half-time. First, Matt Taylor glanced a header past Cronin then Peter Hawkins, on an afternoon he will want to forget, headed into his own net.

Bookings for Chris McPhee and Hawkins for dissent summed up Fleet's disappointing afternoon.

Ebbsfleet: Cronin, Hawkins, Opinel, Long, Nade, McPhee, Barret (Maskell 77), Ricketts (Liam Coleman 60), Purcell (Luke Coleman 87), Moore, Goodhind.

Subs Not Used: Mott, J Smith.

Attendance: 1,211.