CHELMSFORD City will be determined to see off leaders Ebbsfleet United on Saturday after getting their first National League South win in more than a month.

The Clarets gained swift revenge for their FA Cup exit at the hands of Basingstoke Town the week before by defeating ’Stoke 2-1 on Saturday.

Matt Whichelow marked his debut for Chelmsford with two goals following his loan deal from Boreham Wood.

“I have come here to help Chelmsford push up the league and came in and got two goals which was a great start for me,” said Whichelow, who put the visitors in front when he beat Aaron Howe in the 38th minute.

But Liam Enver-Marum equalised from the penalty spot in the 57th minute after Luke Daley brought down Basingstoke’s Lloyd Macklin.

But Chelmsford went in search of a winner and were rewarded in the 76th minute when Whichelow smashed a fierce shot in the bottom corner of Howe’s goal.

The win was City’s first in the league since they defeated Canvey side Concord Rangers 5-2 in their Essex derby on September 14.

Manager Mark Hawkes said: “It was a good performance today. We were more compact and we passed the ball better and kept it for longer periods, and I think we have run out deserved winners today.

“Matt is a good player who is used to winning. He has scored two goals on his debut and it doesn’t come much better than that for him.”

Saturday’s win left Chelmsford seventh in the table, with Basingstoke bottom of the table, ahead of the visit of National League South leaders Ebbsfleet on Saturday afternoon.