Ebbsfleet United 2 Hemel Hempstead 2 match report: Toby Edser and Ben Chapman score in National League South but Hemel snatch point with late double

Ebbsfleet missed out on the chance of moving into the top five in National League South after conceding two late goals on a rain-sodden evening at Stonebridge Road.

The Fleet had been on course for a seventh win in eight league games but were made to pay for some sloppy late defending.

Ebbsfleet made two changes from the side that beat Maidenhead at the weekend.

Josh Passley and Josh Coley dropped to the bench with Ben Coker and Jamie Fielding in the starting XI.

On the bench was keeper Ryan Sandford, formerly of Maidstone and Dartford among others, who joined after being released by Crawley Town before the transfer window closed. On-loan Watford keeper Jonathan Macaulay returned to his parent club following the end of his loan deal.

The playing surface was excellent given the downpour in the hours before kick-off, with the pitch passing a final inspection by the referee at 7pm, although had he postponed it then it would have been a very bizarre call given the excellent work by Fleet staff and volunteers.

Ebbsfleet made a flying start and only a fine one-handed save from keeper James Holden denied the in-form Dominic Samuel from 20 yards as early as the second minute.

The reprieve didn’t last for the visitors as the resulting corner by Ben Coker was only half-cleared by Holden as far as Toby Edser, who fired low past the defender on the line.

A flowing move after 15 minutes saw Gene Kennedy and Fielding combine to cross for Samuel, who was unable to get a proper connection.

Charlie Seaman crossed on 20 minutes from the left but Ronny Nelson hooked the ball wide at the near post.

A second goal nearly arrived two minutes later when Coker headed down Edser’s centre but Samuel’s flick was cleared off the line.

Hemel were