Ebbsfleet United 1 Hornchurch 1 match report:: National League South leaders earn point thanks to Harry Gibbs’ equaliser

Ebbsfleet were unable to end leaders Hornchurch’s unbeaten start to the season on Saturday.

The hosts led in National League South but were pegged back after the break as former Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon left Stonebridge Road with a point.

Ebbsfleet named an unchanged side from the side that drew at Hemel Hempstead in midweek.

But this was a much more positive display, as you’d expect, on home soil despite Hornchurch arriving at Stonebridge Road as league leaders.

A dangerous near-post corner by Charlie Seaman after nine minutes almost caught out Hornchurch keeper Arthur Nasta but he did well to push it behind.

Seaman’s second corner was then headed clear only as far as the edge of the box where Toby Edser shot well over the bar.

At the other end, Hornchurch skipper Tom Wraight had an ambitious volley go well wide and then shot horribly over the stand from distance.

The breakthrough came after 28 minutes when the excellent Ben Chapman drove into the box after being fed by Aaron Cosgrave. Chapman’s cross near Josh Coley was diverted back towards his own goal by defender Makai Welch and while keeper Nasta initially kept the ball out, it ended up in the back of the net.

Hornchurch finished the half strongly with Henry Sandat having a right-foot shot blocked by Mustapha Olagunju. Keeper Mark Cousins then produced an excellent reflex save to deny Josh Rees from close range after Sandat’s left-wing cross.

Josh Hare, who lined up against cousin Jake Hessenthaler in the Fleet ranks, then caused problems on the stroke of half-time with a corner that was somehow cleared.

Hare had an early shot saved in the second half before Hornchurch drew level just past the hour mark. Hare’s deep left-wing corner was headed in at the far