Ebbsfleet 2 Altrincham 2

Alty rescued a point on the road at bottom side Ebbsfleet United in one of the most end-to-end games of the 2024/25 season so far.

Despite going ahead via a Regan Linney penalty, already relegated Ebbsfleet struck back to level through Aaron Cosgrave, before hitting the front via Mustapha Olagunju, only for Justin Amaluzor to slide home an equaliser for the visiting Robins with 15 minutes remaining.

Neither goalie had been worked up to the 17th minute, when Alty took the lead. Olagunju tussled with Linney down the left channel before bringing Alty's leading scorer down inside the box.

Referee Niall Smith didn't hesitate to point to the spot, allowing Linney to roll home with ease, sending Mark Cousins the wrong way from 12 yards.

Caleb Ansen, who had an inspired game in the Alty goal, was then at his best to save superbly from Aaron Cosgrave at the other end, before also denying Franklin Domi.

Unfortunately, their was nothing the Norwich loanee could do about Cosgrave's low finish from 20 yards as the home side drew level on 32 minutes.

It was the last meaningful action of the first half, although Fleet were showing more attacking intent, a trait which continued at the beginning of the second half.

It was only the concentration and reflexes of Ansen that kept the scores level in the early exchanges as Alty's goalie flung himself low to tip Luke O'Neill's long range drive round the post, with Fleet firmly on the front foot.

The tide slowly turned with the visitors registering a number of successive corners. One caused panic in the Fleet box, only for three Alty efforts to be blocked. This was quickly followed by an Amaluzor effort that flew just wide and a Charlie Olson shot which was spectacularly clawed away by Cousins.

Again the momentum switched back, and after two unbelievable goalline clearances from Lewis Baines, Fleet snatched the lead from a corner. George Moncur's centre bundled home at the second attempt by defender Olagunju.

Within six minutes Alty were back on terms. Linney sprinted clear down the right flank and drove into the box before placing a pinpoint cross onto the outstretched boot of Amaluzor who slid home from two yards.

There was still time for another shift in the play, but not in the scoreline, as Ansen once again came up with a fine stop to tip sub Ryan Carr's goalbound effort over the bar, preserving what could still be an important point for the Robins in the race for the play-offs.

Ebbsfleet Cousins; O'Neill (c), Moncur (Carr, 80'), Domi (Bingham, 85'), Edser, Chapman, Olagunju, Bolger, Cosgrave (Poleon, 85'), Stewart (Cundle, 57'), Manktelow. Subs not used: Goddard, Anthony, Aoraha.

Altrincham Ansen; Banks, Baines (c), Marriott (Wilson, 69'), Linney (Weaver, 80'), Newby (Reddin, 84'), Amaluzor, Kosylo (Dolan, 69'), Crawford, Golden, Olson. Subs not used: Cooper, Osborne, Penney.

HT 1-1

Goals Cosgrave 32', Olagunju 69' | Linney 17', Amaluzor 75'

Yellows None | Amaluzor 31', Crawford 66', Olson 81', Golden 87'

Reds None | None

Referee Niall Smith

Assistants Laurentiu Hantea & Karl Sear

Fourth official Chris Myatt

Attendance 1,173 (118 away)

Next Up

The National League Cup semi-final on Tuesday night against Leeds United u21s.

Kick-off at The J.Davidson Stadium is 7:30pm with tickets on sale here for just £8 over-18s & £5 under-18s - Alty season ticket holders go FREE.