ALDERSHOT TN 0, EBBSFLEET UTD 0

TOP-CLASS goalkeeping by Lewis Ward and a captain’s display from central defender Will Evans helped secure a point for Aldershot in a game they could easily have lost on Saturday.

Both teams defended well in a scrappy game, but the Shots missed a golden chance to close within a point of National League leaders Macclesfield who suffered a shock 6-0 thrashing at AFC Fylde.

Gary Waddock gave a first start to Nicke Kabamba, the tall striker signed on loan from Portsmouth, but Aldershot lacked a cutting-edge. Kabamba received a poor service from the usually productive midfield. Whether that had much to do with the absence of Bernard Mensah – now a Bristol Rovers player – is open to conjecture.

Ebbsfleet were certainly difficult to break down, but the Shots tended to dither on the ball and there was too much backward passing for the liking of their fans.

The Kent side defended in numbers, although their able goalkeeper, Nathan Ashmore, was lucky to escape with just a yellow card for lingering over his goal-kicks.

But the visitors had not come just for a point and their well-constructed moves created the better chances.

At the vital moments, though, Ebbsfleet were denied by Evans’ timely interceptions, Ward’s watchful keeping, and their inability to stay onside.

Even so, they should have scored on 25 minutes when Aldershot lost possession in midfield and slick work by Jack Powell and Luke Coulson teed the ball up for bulky striker Danny Kedwell who scuffed his shot.

Soon after, Ward got his legs in the way of a scorching shot from Powell and defender Chris Bush headed over the bar from the resulting corner.

It was past half-an-hour before Aldershot seriously threatened their opponents’ goal, Bobby-Joe Taylor’s low drive being helped past the upright by a deflection.

Manny Oyeleke went even closer with a first-time shot that Ashmore, more by luck than good judgement, stopped with his thigh.

On the stroke of half-time, Bordon-born Dave Winfield almost scored against his former club when he got a touch to Powell’s teasing free-kick, only to be denied by Ward’s sharp reflexes.

Waddock replaced Jake Gallagher with Matt McClure at half-time – a change he said later was ‘tactical’ – and Aldershot began to ask more questions of the Ebbsfleet defence. An intended cross from Taylor almost sneaked under the crossbar and Jim Kellerman’s raking ball just eluded McClure in the goalmouth.

But again the Shots were indebted to Ward who foiled Andy Drury in a one-on-one. Powell then played the pass of the game to release Coulson who shot wide as Ward raced out.

At the other end, Ashmore saved with his legs as Kabamba athletically made a clean contact with Cheye Alexander’s cross.

Scott Rendell and James Rowe came off the bench and Aldershot moved up a gear in the last quarter, Taylor and Kellerman leading the way with marauding runs.

McClure twice went agonisingly close, while Miles Weston, another substitute, almost won it for Ebbsfleet in added time, blasting inches over the crossbar with his left foot.

Aldershot not at their best, but it’s still six games unbeaten as they prepare for the shortish trip to Leyton Orient this Saturday.

“No, I don’t think we’ve done enough to win the game,” said Gary Waddock. “If I’m honest, having last weekend off stopped a bit of momentum. Credit to Ebbsfleet, they had a difficult fixture on Tuesday and a disappointment (FA Trophy exit), and there was always going to be a reaction from them. They set up well, but we didn’t reach the levels we’ve been playing to.

“They had the better chances and our passing in the middle of the pitch was poor. They were able to spring off from that and could have punished us.”

Aldershot: Ward, Alexander, Kinsella, Evans, Fowler, Gallagher (McClure 46), Oyeleke, Taylor, Kabamba (Rendell 76), Kellermann, Fenelon (Rowe 76). Sub (not used): Cole. Booked: Kinsella.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, McCoy, Magri, Winfield, Bush, Wilson (Weston 78), Payne, Drury, Coulson, Powell (Rance 90), Kedwell (Bubb 87). Subs (not used): Shields, Jordan. Booked: Coulson, Ashmore.

Referee: Peter Gibbons.

Attendance: 2,457 (176 away).