Ebbsfleet United 0 York City 2 National League match report: Referee Alan Dale disallows Josh Passley header before Ollie Pearce double seals win for York

Bottom side Ebbsfleet gave title-chasing York a run for their money in the National League on Saturday.

Two second-half goals from the predatory Ollie Pearce settled the contest but the Fleet should have been ahead in the first half but for a controversial call from underpar referee Alan Dale.

Ebbsfleet named the same 10 outfield players from last weekend’s goalless draw at play-off chasing Rochdale.

The one change was in goal where new recruit Lucas Covolan took over with first-choice Mark Cousins sidelined due to concussion protocols and back-up Felix Goddard injured.

Covolan’s high starting position nearly caught him out after five minutes as York’s Ollie Pearce tried his luck from 40 yards but his effort went narrowly over the bar.

Even before a controversial call on the stroke of half-time, the first 45 minutes were dominated not by either side but referee Alan Dale.

The official gave five fouls against the Fleet in the first 13 minutes, including a yellow card for Josh Passley for a trip.

York clearly had the referee’s ear as the free-kicks kept coming and there was even a belated yellow card for Mustapha Olagunju after York’s Marvin Armstrong spent more than 30 seconds talking to the official. It worked.

Pearce fired over again for the visitors from a good opening while Franklin Domi twice shot wide from long range for Ebbsfleet.

Eight minutes before the break, defender Tom Dallison headed back a deep free-kick but Toby Edser’s effort was blocked.

Ebbsfleet thought they’d taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when Passley headed in George Moncur’s corner. But after much delay and having consulted his assistant, the referee ruled it out for offside with a player in front of the keeper, even though he was never