Ebbsfleet 3
Harriers 3

SPIRITED Harriers produced a stirring comeback to earn at point in Kent but the game was marred by a controversial penalty and an injury to defender Michael Briscoe on Tuesday night.

The Aggborough outfit had been leading at half-time after a fine strike by Dave Hankin.

However, they were pegged back in questionable fashion when the luckless Briscoe was wrongly adjudged to have handed the ball early in the second half.

To make matters worse the centre back was stretchered off and Fleet topscorer Callum Willock converted the spot-kick to drag the home side level.

Two goals in as many minutes from Nathaniel Pinney and Willock had handed Ebbsfleet a 3-1 lead but striker Jamille Matt inspired a brilliant comeback by Harriers.

The towering centre forward set up Nick Wright for a goal and then ensured it was honours even with an 84th minute header.

Wideman Hankin handed the visitors the lead in the fifth minute when he lashed an unstoppable right-footed 20-yard shot into the back of keeper Preston Edwards' net.

It was the former Stalybridge man's first goal for Harriers since joining the club in the summer of 2010.

The home side tried to hit back and keeper Tony Breeden showed his athleticism when he flung himself at Michael West's long range effort in the 10th minute.

The away team looked dangerous on the break and after Lee Vaughan had launched a counter-attack by releasing Hankin down the right, Lee Hendrie steered his header into the keeper's arms.

Ebbsfleet skipper Paul Lorraine then thumped a header across goal from a West corner.

Fleet striker Nathaniel Pinney pounced on a moment of hesitation by Briscoe and Breeden on the edge of the box but with the custodiam out of position, his snap shot flew wide in the 20th minute.

Hankin had his sights on a second after good work by Storer in the 22nd minute but Edwards was equal to his driven effort and produce a good save.

The hosts were pushing Harriers for a leveller and top scorer Willock squandered a decent chance in the 28th minute, shooting over from 20-yards after Ram Marwa had picked him out.

His strike partner Pinney also failed to him the target moments later. He had got the better of Mickey Demetriou on the right but as he sped into Harriers' box, he screwed his very shot wide.

The visitors were under pressure in the closing stages of the first half and Lee Vaughan, Tom Sharpe and Briscoe all made vital blocks to keep Ebbsfleet at bay.

Steve Guinan was booked in the 42nd minute for dissent.

The last chance of the half fell to Willock, who stole into meet Tom Phipp's free-kick but headed the ball wide.

Harriers were incensed two minutes into the second half when the referee blew for a penalty. The official adjudged centre back Briscoe had handled Joe Howe' cross as he flung himself at the ball, even though it appeared to hit him squarely in the face.

To make matters worse for Harriers, the centre back was stretchered off in a neck brace and then replaced by Luke Jones.

Despite all the controversey, Willock calmly scored the penalty in the 54th minute.

Guinan nearly fired Harriers ahead when he drove a shot goalwards in the 57th minute but Edwards diverted the ball onto the bar.

The hosts also scented a goal and Breeden was equal to a strong shot by West, while Sharpe blocked a Pinney close range effort on the line.

There was a pleasing sight for Harriers fans in the 66th minute when midfielder Jack Byrne replaced Kyle Storer. It was his first appearance since the start of October after being laid low by a serious bout gastroenteritis.

He almost made an immediate impact, shooting over the bar on edge of the box after being set up by Gittings.

However, the hosts took the lead in the 69th minute when Willock beat Breeden on the edge of the box with a neat chip.

Things got worse two minutes later, when Pinney's left-footed shot flew into the bottom far corner to leave Harriers 3-1 down with a mountain to climb.

Harriers hitman Matt should have done better after using his strength to win the ball in Ebbsfleet's box but stabbed it wide from close range in the 75th minute.

Substitute Wright handed Harriers lifeline in the 80th minute after excellent work from Matt. The striker used his strength and pace to speed down the right and produce a low cross which Wright clinically finished a few yards out.

Matt then completed Harriers' impressive comeback in the 84th minute. Sharpe had nodded a Lee Hendrie free-kick back into the danger zone and the towering striker looped a header over Edwards into the far top corner.

Both sides had chances to win the game in 10 minutes of time added on, with Pinney flashing a shot across Harriers' goal mouth.

Harriers: Breeden; Vaughan; Hankin; Guinan; Sharpe; Briscoe (Jones, 53); Gittings (Wright, 77); Matt; Demetriou; Storer (Byrne, 66); Hendrie.

Unused substitutes: Mike Williams; Marc Williams.

Ebbsfleet: Edwards; Stone; Lorraine; West (Darvill, 90); Marwa; Willock; Phipp; Howe; Enver-Marum (Shakes, 83); Simpemba; Pinney.

Unused substitutes: Herd; Welch; Azeez.

Referee: Rob Whitton. Attendance: 731