Fleet share six goals with Kidderminster (From News Shopper)

Ebbsfleet 3-3 Kidderminster

1:45pm Wednesday 30th November 2011 in News and Reports By Charlie Sewell

EBBSFLEET United managed to hold onto a point against visitors Kidderminster Harriers at Stonebridge Road last night.

A touching tribute was paid to the late Gary Speed with a minute’s applause from the Stonebridge crowd before proceedings.

Kidderminster started strongly and didn’t have to wait long to break through when Dave Hankin picked up possession 25 yards from goal and his deflected shot went past Preston Edwards, leaving the keeper as the visitors took the lead the lead on six minutes.

Despite having the majority of possession, the away side failed to take full advantage and Fleet started to find a way back into the game.

Michael West’s shot was saved at the near post, while Ian Simpemba squandered a free header just after the quarter of an hour mark.

Although the Fleet constantly peppered the Harriers goal, they failed to convert any opportunities before the break.

However, the second half started in highly controversial circumstances when Joe Howe’s rocket of a shot was blocked seemingly by Michael Briscoe’s head and after long deliberation from the referee, a penalty was awarded for handball to the home side.

The injury sustained by Briscoe produced a lengthy delay and resulted in the away side’s captain being stretchered off.

But once play resumed, Calum Willock converted the spot kick by sending Harriers keeper Tony Breeden the wrong way after 55 minutes.

The equaliser spurred on the Fleet and they grabbed two goals in quick succession to race into a 3-1 lead.

Willock doubled his tally after 70 minutes with a lob which left Breeden stranded before Nathaniel Pinney fired past Breeden from an acute angle just two minutes later.

With Ebbsfleet seemingly heading towards three points, substitute Nick Wright gave Kidderminster some hope when he dispatched Jamille Matt’s cross with 10 minutes remaining.

And the away side grabbed a late equaliser as Matt guided a header towards the back post which crept past Edwards after 85 minutes.

Despite a staggering 10 minutes of injury time, Ebbsfleet failed to grab a winner but at least they are still sitting seven points clear of the drop zone in 16th place in the league table.

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Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Stone, Lorraine, West (Darvill 90), Marwa, Willock, Phipp, Howe, Enver-Marum (Shakes 85), Simpemba, Pinney. Subs not used: Herd, Welch, Azeez. Att: 731.