Substitute Harvey Walker came off the bench to score the winner for leaders Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

The Fleet could only name three substitutes, including goalkeeper Matt Hall, due to injuries and suspensions but they still managed to grind out a victory.

There were four changes for Ebbsfleet from the side that won at Farnborough on Tuesday. The suspended trio of Josh Passley, Camron Gbadebo and James Vennings were joined on the sidelines by Toby Edser witn Will Tizzard, Gene Kennedy, Olly Box and Maxx Manktelow all coming in.

It took the changed line-up around 20 minutes to get into their stride in a goalless first half.

Box saw his right-foot shot come back off the post before Charlie Seaman’s effort was deflected wide.

Seaman went even closer with a 25-yard free-kick that whistled just past the upright on 25 minutes before Tizzard was next to see hit shot deflected off target.

Ebbsfleet nearly broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when Box played in Daniel Ogunleye but keeper Ben Goode was out to make a smart save and divert the ball behind for a corner.

Chesham’s best chance came two minutes before the break when Will St Clair-Burton had a clear sight of goal but Fleet keeper WIll Buse pushed his effort over the crossbar.

The second half saw the Fleet enjoy plenty of the ball but with few chances created.

They had the ball in the net with 17 minutes left when substitute Dominic Samuel turned in Ben Chapman’s cross-shot from close range but the celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Four minutes after coming on, Walker found the breakthrough. Barnes’ initial shot came back off the post but Walker reacted quickest and fired home through a crowded six-yard box.

Chesham finished the game with 10 men when Matt Lench collected a second yellow card for a foul on Walker on 87 minutes.

The visitors rallied in stoppage time but Buse produced two relatively comfortable saves from long-range shots.

Ebbsfleet: Buse, Vokins, Hessenthaler, Ogunleye, Seaman, Tizzard, Kennedy, Box (Samuel 60mins), Barnes, Manktelow (Walker 78mins), Chapman. Subs not used: Hall.

Chesham: Goode, Lafleur, Young, Brown (Williams 84mins), Oliyide, Weiss, Andrews (Kasimu 90+2mins), Adewunmi, Clair-Burton (Eze 85mins), Akolbire (Bennetts 50mins), Lench. Subs not used: Rasulo, Babos, Odiase.

Referee: Henry Harvey.

Attendance: 1,326.