AN INJURY time winner from Leon Crooks ensured Ebbsfleet edged a seven-goal thriller with relegation rivals Forest Green Rovers, writes Paul Green.

Rovers were three times in front, through an Isaiah Rankin penalty and two goals from Daniel Powell.

But Fleet levelled each time, twice thanks to Magno Vieira, then Stefan Bailey's long-range strike.

And Crooks headed home Scott Ginty's cross to move Fleet out of the bottom four and plunge Rovers into trouble.

Earlier, Ricky Shakes got on the end of Magno Vieira's third minute cross but he fired straight at Forest Green keeper Terry Burton.

Tomi Ameobi's fifth minute snap shot went inches wide of Lance Cronin's right hand post.

Oliver Thorne headed behind Stefan Bailey's dangerous 10th minute cross from the left for a corner, but the Fleet failed to capitalise on the set piece.

Ashikodi shot was forced behind for a corner after he got on the end of Darius Charles' flicked header.

Ashikodi's header from Shakes' delivery took a crucial deflection off Thorne, but Charles blasted over the bar from six yards from the resultant corner.

Fleet were undone on 17 minutes when Forest Green were awarded a penalty following a clumsy challenge just inside the box by Pooley on Rankin.

Rankin was quickly back on his feet to smash the spot kick past Cronin, but Ebbsfleet drew level within a minute when Vieira blasted home from six yards after getting on the end of Bailey's delivery..

Ebbsfleet should have gone in front when Shakes' 21st minute cross was scuffed wide by Ashikodi from eight yards.

They were made to regret the miss seconds later when a quick break saw Rankin pick out Powell, who ran into the area before firing past Cronin.

Leon Crooks' 31st minute shot took an unfortunate deflection for a corner as Fleet tried to get themselves back on terms for the second time.

Holmes'free-kick into the danger zone was headed straight at Burton by Charles, while Charles' left-foot driven shot four minutes before the break just went over the bar.

A frustrating first half for Ebbsfleet was summed up in stoppage time when Bailey blazed over because Liam Daish's side dominated but still found themselves trailing, not for the first time this season.

Forest Green had the first opportunity of the second period five minutes in when Jared Hodgkiss saw his low drive sail just wide of the post.

However, the Fleet were back on terms in the 55th minute after Burton pushed Darius Charles' cross onto the bar and the loose ball was slotted home by Vieira.

Shakes got beyond the keeper to deliver a cross to Vieira, but he scuffed his attempt and the danger was cleared.

Vierira, who was chasing a hat-trick, fired a low free-kick from 25 yards straight into the hands of Burton on the hour.

Holmes saw an ambitious volley sail over the bar but Forest Green came back and substitute Tyrone Berry burst into the box before placing his shot wide.

Berry turned provider on 67 minutes when he picked out Powell, but he should have done much better after firing wildly over when completely unmarked.

Holmes tested Burton with a long range drive but Forest Green took the lead for the third time seconds later when Powell struck home from inside the area to make it 3-2.

But back came the Fleet again on 79 minutes when Bailey went on a forward run to the edge of the box and his speculative effort went past Burton to set up a thrilling finale.

Ricky Shakes and Peter Holmes both tested Burton as Fleet went in search of a winner.

But there was a lucky escape at the other end when Powell fired into the side netting and then Berry had a penalty claim ignored.

The referee signalled four minutes of stoppage time and Ebbsfleet got their just rewards two minutes later when Crooks climbed high to head home substitute Ginty's cross for a dramatic winner.

Ebbsfleet United: Cronin, Salmon, Pooley, Crooks, Charles, Holmes, Stavrinou (Ginty 68), Bailey, Shakes, Ashikodi, Vieira (Heeroo 90).

Subs Not Used: West, Welsh, Wills.

Goals: Vieira 19, 55, Bailey 79, Crooks 90.

Forest Green: Burton, O'Cearuill (Brown 83), Preece, Thorne, Stonehouse, Hodgkiss, Rocastle, Smith, Powell, Ameobi, Rankin (Berry 58).

Subs Not Used: Wilkinson, Else, Osman.

Goals: Rankin pen 19, Powell 23, 71.

Attendance: 790.

Referee: John Sarries (England).