Full-time Fleet only deny City with last-gasp equaliser

City were denied a third successive victory by a late Ebbsfleet United equaliser at the Kufflink Stadium this afternoon. Quick thinking from Will Jenkins Davies set up Scott Wilson to give City an 11th minute lead but the full-time hosts finally turned their second half pressure into a leveller two minutes from time.

The Fleet had shaded possession in the first half but it was City who enjoyed the better chances with Cousins the busy of the keepers. He’d already saved well from Jenkins Davies in the 5th minute but six minutes later was picking the ball out the net. Brad Ash was fouled ten yards in the Ebbsfleet half and, despite the home side’s effort to stop Jenkins Davies taking the free kick, he slipped it through to Wilson. The referee whistled but then waved play-on allowing Wilson to race clear and shoot past Cousins. Ash was then twice denied by Cousins as City looked to build on their lead. As the half progressed Ebbsfleet began to see more of the ball but rarely looked like finding a way past City in open play, largely relying on long throws and corners to test the Romans. Only once though, when a corner dropped to Coley, was Harvey Wiles-Richards called into serious action.

This pattern continued into the second half but City continued to stand up resolutely to the Kent side’s efforts. City occasionally showed flashes on the break, the best of these seeing Cousins save well from Alex Fisher’s shot with Danny Greenslade sending the rebound narrowly over. Two days after a similarly heroic defensive effort against another full-time side it looked like City had done enough to hold on as the game reached its closing moments. However, with a minute left their resistance was finally broken. Seaman lifted another hopeful ball into the ball where Dallison headed it back across for Samuel to tap home at the back post. Eight minutes stoppage gave the Fleet hopes of completing the turn around but City dug deep again to secure a thoroughly deserved point.