A last minute goal from Levi Reid gave United light at the end of the tunnel as their ten men salvaged a point at Ebbsfleet. .Yet again a refereeing decision looked to have turned the game as Luke Foster became the third red card in three away games so far, the defender being sent off in the first half on his return from suspension. A goal from Michael Gash then looked to have sunk The U's until Reid's thumping volley sealed a fine comeback full of character.

On a sweltering hot , humid afternoon United had the first opening as Jamie Guy's fifth minute chip dropped into the arms of keeper Cronin, and the new wing back formation had settled quickly, with James Clarke and Chris Carruthers offering width and Guy and Yemi Odubade full of movement up front. A sickening clash of heads between Quinn and Willmott after ten minutes showed that perhaps the new system needed a little polishing, but both were fine to continue with Willmott sporting a bandage and doing a Steve Foster impression for the rest of the match.

The excellent Jake Cole was called into action for the first time on 16 minutes, getting down smartly to deny George Purcell from twenty yards, and Stacy Long should have done better a moment later as he found space but prodded wide from the other side of the box. Those chances apart it was a fairly even opening and although United had  become more solid at the back they had sacrificed a little of the attacking flair. They were still a threat and created the clearest opening  of the half on 37 as Clarke's ball through was dummied by Burnell to allow Odubade to run clear. Yemi took his time and took aim, but his right footed shot flashed just the wrong side of Cronin's right  hand post with the keeper stranded. Had it gone in who knows...

However, United just can't seem to manage an away game without a red card and on 44 it happened once again. The previous cards this season have been justified, but this one was harsh in the extreme as Foster and Craig Stone went into a fifty fifty ball in midfield. Foster took the ball, Stone rolled, and ref Mike Bull was on the scene immediately to show Foster the way to the dressing room. The defender will miss four games: three for the red card and an extra for it being his second of the season.

United  regrouped at half time, changing to a four man defence and asking Guy and Odubade to find inspiration up front, and for the entire second half  they rallied and matched their hosts, but on 55 minutes their resistance was broken as a full back Mark Ricketts waltzed through on the right and crossed hard and low for Gash to tap home from five yards.

So, to recap, the ref was Bull, the scorer was Gash.

The ten men toiled away in the sun but Ebbsfleet made the most of the extra man and pushed them back until a Willmott header on 70 raised the hopes of the superb travelling fans.Their team HAD given their all again but until they can keep ten men on the pitch it is always going to be an uphill struggle. A Constable shot on 81 went straight at Cronin but only an amazing goal line block from Clarke in the closing stages kept the home side out as they looked to double their lead.

Incredibly United have played just three away games now since they last came to Ebbsfleet and in each one they have been left with ten men. Defeat looked on the cards until James Constable turned with the ball and freed Chris Carruthers, whose deep cross dropped on to the right boot of Reid, twelve yards out, and he buried it through Cronin to spark scenes of jubilation on the sidleines. Marvellous..

Hard work but heroic stuff. Just think if they can keep a full quota on the pitch...

Att 1842

Away: 489

See the action in GALLERY

Hear the reaction in Yellow World