Ebbsfleet United 1 Southend United 1 match report: Substitute Dominic Poleon cancels out Southend top scorer Harry Cardwell’s first-half goal in front of crowd of more than 4,000 at Stonebridge Road

Striker Dominic Poleon came off the bench for Ebbsfleet to earn them a point from their National League game against in-form Southend on Good Friday.

The top scorers for both sides found the net as Harry Cardwell gave the Shrimpers, now unbeaten in 12 fixtures, the lead in the first half.

But Poleon struck less than 10 minutes after he had come on as it finished 1-1.

Toby Edser almost gave the Fleet a perfect start inside 45 seconds at Stonebridge Road in front of a bumper crowd of 4,019. He drifted through a few challenges, only to be denied by the feet of goalkeeper Collin Andeng-Ndi.

The first clear-cut opportunity of the match for the Shrimpers saw Cardwell head a left-wing cross straight at goalkeeper Mark Cousins in the 10th minute.

Shortly after, the home side again went close when Edser made the most of some poor defending.

Playmaker Edser passed to the overlapping Ben Chapman, but his shot crashed against the crossbar, while Andeng-Ndi had to be alert to tip a long-range drive by Dominic Samuel wide.

But Kevin Maher’s side went ahead against the run of play on 20 minutes to the delight of their 1,795 travelling supporters.

Oli Coker whipped in a dangerous free-kick and, although another away man also wheeled away to celebrate, it looked like Cardwell got the final touch to nod past Cousins for his 17th goal this term.

As Ebbsfleet looked for a leveller, Samuel went down under a challenge from defender Ollie Kensdale - sporting a mask to protect an injury to his face - inside the penalty box on 34 minutes.

Referee Lauren Impey controversially awarded a Southend goal kick, though, much to the frustration of the home fans.

More home penalty protests were dismissed shortly before the interval as Edser and then