Ebbsfleet earn first point of the season with draw against Notts County

Posted Sunday, August 25, 2019 by PA

Rock-bottom Ebbsfleet picked up their first point of the season after twice fighting back to draw 2-2 with Notts County.

Summer signings Ben Turner and Regan Booty struck for County but the Fleet responded through Josh Umerah and a Jim O’Brien own goal.

Ebbsfleet, who had started the season with five successive defeats, threatened first through Lawrie Wilson’s early header but it was the visitors who took the lead thanks to Turner.

The experienced defender got on the end of Enzio Boldewijn’s 11th-minute cross to head home his first goal for the Mapgies.

Neal Ardley’s men could not hold onto that lead until half-time, though, with Ebbsfleet levelling in stoppage time when Umerah turned the ball home from close range following a long throw into the box.

County had no time to respond before the break, but needed just three minutes of the second half to reclaim their lead as another new arrival, Booty, fired home from Boldewijn’s cross.

However, Ebbsfleet came again and drew level for a second time when County defender O’Brien inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, ensuring the spoils were shared.