Ebbsfleet United drew a blank in last night’s goalless draw with Eastbourne at a cold Stonebridge Road.

The visitors were a well-drilled outfit that did well to keep out an Ebbsfleet side which had previously scored 13 goals in three games, although after Charlie Sheringham missed a penalty, the Fleet will be frustrated at not coming away with three points.

Manager Steve Brown fielded an unchanged XI from the side that defeated Farnborough 3-0, while visiting boss Tommy Widdrington sent out a physical team well-marshalled by former Fleet central defender Ian Simpemba.

The game got off to a quiet start, with neither side able to impose themselves on the proceedings.

Ebbsfleet captain Daryl McMahon had two long range shots blocked, but while trying his best to dictate his side’s play in his usual manner, he was unable to find much space against a side that were quick to close their opponents down.

Eastbourne’s physical style of play caused the Fleet defence some problems, but aside from a Richard Pacquette 30-yard pot shot that went wide and a drive from Matt Aldred which was deflected over, they did not really pose a goal scoring threat.

The second half was a more entertaining affair, with Ebbsfleet stepping the pace of their play up a level, although they still had to be alert at the back with Eastbourne striker Elliott Charles having a header saved by keeper Brandon Hall.

At the other end, Sheringham hit the post from an offside position before Anthony Cook burst down the left and swung in a beautiful low cross for Billy Bricknell, but his close range shot was saved by Lewis Carey.

Carey then had to parry a 20-yard shot from Bricknell after the striker had shown good strength to win the ball from a defender.

The biggest talking point of the game came midway through the second half.

Cook cut inside along the byline and was then tripped inside the box by former-Fleet trialist Kiran Khinda-John.

However, Sheringham’s tame penalty was too close to Carey, who palmed the ball away.

The miss rocked the hosts and although they continued to control the play, it clearly took them a while to regain their rhythm, which was also disrupted due to the visitors’ tactic of slowing the game down.

Sheringham had a shot across goal and wide while Kenny Clark saw his header from a corner fly over the bar.

The final chance of the game fell to substitute Matt Godden, who had a 12-yard shot brilliantly blocked by a combination of different Eastbourne defenders as they managed to close out the game with a point.

Ebbsfleet: Hall, Howe, Acheampong, Clark, Palmer, Johnson, McMahon, Rance, Cook, Bricknell (Godden 72), Sheringham. Subs not used:  Huke, Edwards, Corcoran, Sessegnon. Att: 944