MANNY Duku sent spirits soaring at the Moors with a goal in each half as new boss Matt Taylor finally savoured victory.
The 32-year-old well-travelled forward grabbed the points with two headers as Taylor picked up three points for the first time in nine outings.
All told, it was the first Moors’ win in 11 matches – their last triumph in the National League came against Tamworth on New Year’s Eve.
That sequence has seen them fall away from the play-off slots and into a mid-table position.
A home fixture against struggling Ebbsfleet was the perfect opportunity to break that miserable run and the Dutch forward, who was part of Hednesford’s FA Cup success story earlier this season came up trumps.
He nodded home a cross from James Clarke two minutes before the interval and despite the visitors hitting back with a penalty shortly after the re-start, got on the end of a Jamey Osborne centre four minutes from time to lift the gloom at Damson Park.
Taylor said: “The most important thing is three points. We dominated today but we just need to be better in the final third.
“I’m really happy. My emotions might not show it because, as a group, we can and should be better in the final third.
“I’ve questioned the players a lot recently. I’ve said it to them in the dressing room. They’ve found a way to win.
“Special mention to Manny, he’s signed a short-term contract. He played with a smile on his face.
“He was a real handful all afternoon. He gave us a different feel at the top of the pitch.
“He won all his duels and got two great goals.”
Perhaps no one inside Damson Park was happier than Taylor.
Every new manager wants to start with victories – but they have been a long time coming.
He added: “This was massive for us. We had to pick up three points. That was my challenge. Nothing else would have been acceptable and they’ve delivered it.
“We’ve had a lot of adversity since I’ve come in. I’ve tried not to make excuses.
“The narrative has an opportunity to change. We’ve had to wait a long time. I’m sure a lot of people were biting their fingernails and I was one of them.
“That’s four points now in one week and I’ve challenged the players to go on an unbeaten run.
“I want them to savour winning. It’s the first win since I’ve joined but I want it to be the first of many.”
