Report

Will De Havilland’s second-half header ensured the points were shared in Tuesday night’s Kent derby at Crabble.

The defender beat home stopper Jordan Holmes to the ball as Andy Hessenthaler’s men ended a run of two consecutive home defeats.

Ayo Obileye had given United the lead early on for a struggling Fleet side that frustrated their hosts for much of the game.

The draw sees Whites drop one place to sixth on the league ladder.

Nassim L’Ghoul let fly from fully 25-yards early on, only to see his long-range shot whizz past the wrong side of the post.

Lee Worgan then had to be quick to stop Josh Umerah running through, but the keeper was powerless to stop Obileye opening the scoring.

The midfielder smashed a knockdown into the bottom corner and Ebbsfleet were not finished there with Myles Weston drilling low into Worgan’s arms.

Tyler Corder then beat Worgan to Frankie Sutherland’s set-piece but nodded off target.

And Inih Effiong wasted the perfect opportunity to level for the hosts.

After Aswad Thomas felled Steven Rigg in the area, Dover’s top scorer blasted his spot-kick high and wide of the mark.

James Ball fired straight at Worgan as Garry Hill’s men continued the frustrate the home team.

Effiong looked to make up for his missed penalty after the restart, forcing away stopper Holmes to parry his angled strike.

Michael Woods then saw a deflected effort dip just over the bar and Rigg was unable to trouble Fleet’s goalie having latched onto L’Ghoul’s clever flick.

But Australian Holmes was caught in no man’s land as De Havilland nodded in Jai Reason’s swirling free-kick to level the scores.

Holmes made up for his error, using a strong fist to keep out Effiong’s fizzing shot.

And Athletic’s forward then curled too high from Pavey’s flick as the home team searched for a winner.

Obileye could only direct his header straight at Worgan and at the other end Holmes had to tip away Reason’s deflected shot.

United then almost won the match when Ball’s volley was well stopped by Worgan.

And Woods thought he had taken the three points in injury time, only for Holmes to somehow beat the ball into the air with substitute Jamie Grimes able to head the rebound away for a corner.

That save proved crucial as Ebbsfleet held on for a point.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler kept with the same side that won at Harrogate on Saturday.  Alfie Pavey replaced Marshall Wratten on the bench.

Whites next travel to Boreham Wood on Saturday 7th September, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

EBBSFLEET UNITED REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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