Ebbsfleet United will feel disappointed with their draw away to Staines after a last minute own goal from Michael Corcoran gave the swans a share of the points.

Steve Brown’s side went to Middlesex looking for a win to all but confirm their place in the playoffs after Havant and Waterlooville lost to Sutton during the week, their task was made more difficult as a result of Staines recent form, they started the day in ninth position, just three points away from the final playoff spot after a great run of five games unbeaten lasting just under a month.

After a difficult win against Tonbridge Angels the previous week Steve Brown made just one change following his two year contract extension with the club on Wednesday with Ben May replacing Michael Thalassitis to partner Billy Bricknell. They came up against a strong Staines team which consisted of former Ebbsfleet striker Callum Willock within the list of substitutes.

Despite the hosts kicking off, it was Ebbsfleet who had the first chance within ten minutes, after Billy Bricknell got given the ball from McMahon he was able to take it down on his chest before turning past is marker and firing a left footed shot towards the left post, but Jack Turner in the Staines goal was able to tip the ball past the post.

After a slow period of play Staines began to apply pressure to their opponents, after a good run from Stephane Ngamvoulou he found himself inside the penalty area before Joe Howe went sliding in perfectly to retain possession.

Ebbsfleet’s pressure continued, but it took half an hour before they were able to score the opening goal, after some good build up play on the right wing by Anthony Cook, the winger was able to put a cross towards Ben May who used his strength to keep the ball away from Chris M’boungou before turning towards goal and firing a left footed shot into the goal to give his team a one goal lead with his fifth league goal of the season.

Despite Staines’ late pressure in the first half, Ebbsfleet were able to hold on to go into half time one goal up.

Within twenty seconds Billy Bricknell was able to capitalise from a failed clearance from Chris M’Boungou, but his half volley flew just over the Staines goal.

The introduction of Callum Willock gave Staines a physical presence going forward, but he didn’t have the support around him which he needed if he was going to make an impact in the match, but after a double substitution from Marcus Gayle Willock was given the support he needed.

These extra attacking options, however, left space at the back for Ebbsfleet to attack from; after a counter attacking run from Anthony Cook e was able to win a corner, but after Acheampong was tripped in the box with no penalty given, allowing the hosts to comfortably clear their area.

The Ebbsfleet pressure continued and from a corner which was cleared, Cook put a second cross in towards Acheampong, the tall defender was able to play the ball towards Billy Bricknell but the striker poked his shot inches over the crossbar before Thalassitis had an opportunity minutes later before putting his placed effort wide.

Staines came straight back with Bajram Pashaj, but the substitute was only able to put his long, powerful shot close enough to Preston Edwards for the goalkeeper to be able to put the ball around his right post.

Ebbsfleet should have had a penalty in the final few minutes however, the referee gave a free kick outside the area despite the Ebbsfleet fan’s claims that the trip on Billy Bricknell came from inside the area.

With four minutes additional time Staines surged forward, after a long free kick was cleared, the ball fell to Max Worsfield for Staines who was able to put a low driven cross into of the area, only for the ball to fall onto Michael Corcoran’s head to give the swans a draw against strong opposition on their push for the playoffs.

After the fleet’s dominance, they will feel disappointed that they were unable to end the game earlier in the half with a second goal. That point keeps them in fourth place with 65 points, after Dover’s draw against Bishops Stortford the fleet remain ten points clear of their nearest challengers, whilst Sutton and Bromley’s defeats closes the gap between Ebbsfleet and Bromley to five points.

 

Staines Town: Turner, Ming, Worsfield, Ferrell, M’boungou, Ifil, Lodge, Ngamvoulou (Brown), Theophanus, Dos Santos (Pashaj), Beadle (Willock)

Subs not used: Merson, Neville

Booked: Ming, Brown

Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Howe, Palmer, McMahon, Aceampong, Sankofa, Corcoran, Rance, May (Thalassitis), Bricknell (Osborn), Cook

Subs not used: Sessegnon, Hall, Huke

Booked: Corcoran, McMahon, Rance

Attendance: 346