Hartlepool United were condemned to only their second defeat of the season as a former Poolie in Rakish Bingham came back to haunt them in a 1-0 loss at Ebbsfleet United.

The Kent side, managed by new boss Harry Watling, had begun the day winless at the foot of the National League and despite coming under pressure in the second half, they hung on for the three points.

The Sky Blues began brightly enough with Anthony Mancini flashing a low ball across the six-yard box but there was no-one there to put it in.

There was an even better chance in the seventh minute when Joe Grey was put in on goal but shot straight at Mark Cousins.

Unfortunately, Kieran Freeman was lost to an injury soon after with Dan Dodds coming off the bench for his first appearance since the opening Saturday of the season.

Lewis Page fired over from a Fleet free-kick in the 24th minute while Mancini was well wide from distance at the other end.

Fleet had gone into the contest off the back of five matches without a goal but their blank was ended on 40 minutes.

An attempted Tom Parkes clearing header only went as far as Bingham, who once he got the ball under control, pulled the trigger with his shot deflecting past Adam Smith.

Midway through the second half, Dodds drove forward and had a pop from distance which flashed wide at the end housing the 174 travelling fans.

With Pools pressing it presented an opportunity for Fleet to break and Billy Sass-Davies was forced into an excellent block on Ben Chapman.

Pools kept going and a low Dodds left-footer was comfortably saved by Cousins while Mani Dieseruvwe fired wide from the edge of the box with five minutes to go.

The away team kept pushing to the end but were unable to fashion any chances.

Pools: Smith Freeman (Dodds 17′), Sass-Davies, Parkes, Ferguson, Sheron (Featherstone 64′), Hunter (Campbell 72′), Mancini, Mathurin (Charman 56′), Grey, Dieseruvwe

Subs (not used): Young, Onariase, Robinson