A double from former Brentford forward Ricky Shakes condemned Hampton & Richmond Borough to a twelfth league game without win, a run that has plunged the club into a relegation battle, writes Daryn McCleave.

James Simmonds' spot kick right on half-time cancelled out Callum Willock's opener, but a disastrous start to the second half saw the Beavers 3-1 down within five minutes of the re-start, Conor Okus netting a penalty following Dean Inman's foul on Willock, and Shakes grabbing his first to undo all the home side's good work in the opening 45 minutes.

Hampton rallied and substitute David Tarpey pulled one back with six minutes remaining to offer hope, but that was quashed within four minutes as Shakes made the game safe for high-flying Fleet.

For possibly the first time this season, Alan Devonshire was able to select an unchanged side, with Matt Lovett apparently showing no ill effect on his knee following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Basingstoke. David Stevens again missed out with an ongoing groin injury which is a cause for concern.

On a misty evening at Beveree, the game got off to a steady start, the Beavers growing with confidence with Francis Quarm again at the thick of it in the middle of the park.

Two early efforts from the number seven had the visitors worried, first a volley from 20 yards that 'keeper Preston Edwards was thankful to hold, and moments later a similar effort from over ten yards further back which bounced wide with Edwards struggling to dive across goal.

The referee, Mr Degnarain, then became centre of attention when Ian Hodges clashed with Dean Pooley in an incident which sparked a mini-fracas, but despite pleading his innocence, Hodges went in the book whilst Pooley got away with a ticking off.

It wasn't to be the last time the referee found himself as the main focus, the Beavers having two handball shouts in the box waved away and upsetting both sets of fans with some dubious and inconsistent decisions throughout.

Shakes was proving a livewire for Fleet and forced a sharp stop from Lovett with a low effort, with Willock heading down and over from the resultant corner.

Ashley Carew's dangerous cross was touched behind by Dean Wells as the visitors threatened to take control, but Hampton then had the best chance so far, Quarm cutting out a pass in the United defence before sliding in Charlie Moone, but his touch in front of goal deserted him as Edwards stood big to block away one on one.

That miss was to prove costly, as two minutes later in the 33rd minute, Liam Daish's men took the lead. Shakes ball into the box found Willock, and with his back to goal, quickly swivelled and struck a powerful low shot into the net from 16 yards, giving Lovett no chance.

The Beavers battled back though, a flowing move involving Nathan Collier and Hodges teed up Moone but his effort was deflected over.

But entering the first minute of time added on at the end of the half, Hampton were given the chance to go in level at the break that their display had merited.

Inman's high ball into the box was inch perfect for Hodges who controlled on his chest before being hauled back by Ryan Blake.

The referee pointed to the spot, and considering he was the last man, AND that he had already seen yellow, how he remained on the field remains a mystery.

James Simmonds stepped up to send Edwards the wrong way and restore parity as the whistle sounded for the interval.

Liam Daish must have given his side a roasting during the break, as Ebbsfleet came out with real intent and purpose from the off.

Lovett showed he was alert when tipping Shakes' opportunist scorpion-like flick over the bar, but from the following corner a loose ball in the box caused confusion and Inman stuck a leg out, bringing down the man mountain that is Willock.

Mr Degnarain awarded the second penalty of the game, within two minutes of actual game time.

There wasn't too many complaints, in fact the spot kicks were probably the only decisions he got right all evening. Midfielder Conor Okus blasted the kick down the middle, Lovett got a touch but the power saw it home.

90 seconds later the home side fell asleep again when Shakes was left all alone to make the most of Tom Phipps ball in from the right, side footing low into the corner to effectively kill off the Beavers.

It could have been worse as Shakes was denied by Lovett's parry, with the linesman ruling out Willock's follow up effort for offside.

Collier tried a long range attempt from distance that flew well over, and his surging run down the right won the corner which saw Orlando Jeffrey head just over from Simmonds free-kick as Hampton seeked a way back into the game. The Fleet though remained a danger on the break, several crosses causing problems.

The Beavers did managed to mount a sustained period of pressure, and eventually gave the home faithful some hope of an unlikely comeback.

Craig Tanner's ball across the box after his own shot had been well saved fell into the path of David Tarpey who couldn't miss from five yards, to put the game back within reach with 84 minutes gone.

However those hopes were dashed three minutes later when Wells was caught in possession coming out of defence, visiting sub Michael West stealing and then teeing up Shakes who clinically struck the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards.

To Hampton's credit, they plugged away and would have got another one back a minute later but somehow Edwards flung himself to the right to keep out Inman's header which looked destined for the top corner.

The scoreline was perhaps a tad unlucky for the Beavers, but make no mistake, February is a massive month with games against sides in and around the relegation zone, starting with what is now a huge six pointer with St Albans City this Saturday at the Beveree (3pm).

HAMPTON & R.B; Lovett, Collier, Tanner (c), Jeffrey, Inman, Wells, Quarm, Simmonds (sub 73, Rochester), Hodges (sub 60, Yaku), Moone (sub 65, Tarpey), Matthews. SUBS NOT USED: Lette-Jallow, Carpenter.

Booked; Hodges 14.