Ebbsfleet United 1 Bath City 1 match report: Dominic Samuel scores late equaliser in National League South

Dominic Samuel rescued a point for Ebbsfleet against Bath in National League South on Monday.

The Fleet looked to be heading for defeat after a controversial goal put the visitors ahead early on but Samuel came off the bench to score in the 89th minute.

After a much-changed side suffered their first defeat of the campaign at Slough on Saturday, the Fleet made seven changes as they reverted back to the majority of the team that had won their first three matches.

Ben Coker also returned from injury down the left wing with Charlie Seaman getting the nod down the opposite flank.

A quiet start was abruptly ended on 11 minutes when referee Zachary Cunningham took centre stage. Having awarded a free-kick against Mustapha Olagunju, the official allowed Bath to take it quickly despite being in discussion with Ebbsfleet players and as the home side stopped, Scott Wilson went clean through on goal and tucked the ball past keeper Mark Cousins.

With the hosts stunned, Bath nearly added a second goal moments later but Cousins saved well at his near-post after Brad Ash’s clever flick.

Wilson was then booked for a crude challenge on Fleet skipper Max Ehmer.

It needed a fine save by Cousins to prevent Bath going 2-0 up on 26 minutes, the Fleet keeper producing a one-handed stop after another Ash flick, this time from a Luke Russe free-kick.

Already frustrated by the referee, Fleet’s mood was not helped on the half-hour when Toby Edser appeared to be tripped in the box and was booked for diving.

Ebbsfleet slowly got back into the contest with Aaron Cosgrave’s pace causing Bath problems. It needed a close-range save by keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards to deny Josh Coley’s effort following a deep Ben Coker corner.

Bath threatened again just