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Leyton Orient 1 Ebbsfleet United 1 match report

Ebbsfleet scored an injury-time equaliser at Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.

The Fleet looked to be heading for a second successive 1-0 defeat in the National League.

But substitute Corey Whitely fired in a deflected shot from 20 yards to gain the Fleet their first point - and goal - of the season.

Corey Whitely rescued a point for Fleet. Picture: Andy Jones
Corey Whitely rescued a point for Fleet. Picture: Andy Jones

Ebbsfleet made three changes from the 1-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield, bringing in Jack Powell, Darren McQueen and Sean Shields for Jack Payne, Whitely and Lawrie Wilson.

Fleet nearly made the dream start with a goal inside the first 45 minutes.

Danny Kedwell flicked the ball on for McQueen but the striker - starting a game for the first time in nearly a year - fired over from close range.

Orient lost George Elokobi to injury within the first three minutes and Fleet nearly carved them open again moments later but Ebou Adams' cross was cleared behind.

Adams, who spent the end of last season on loan at Orient, started brightly for Fleet despite being booed by the home fans every time he touched the ball.

Orient went ahead with their first attack on 18 minutes. Macauley Bonne got behind the Fleet defence and crossed for James Brophy to side-foot home.

Fleet were nearly level four minutes later but home keeper Dean Brill did well to turn a low Myles Weston drive behind. Sean Shields twice went close, his cross-shot was turned over and then he bundled the ball wide after a neat exchange with Chris Bush.

Fleet were forced back after the break, as Orient enjoyed the majority of possession.

It took 20 minutes for the visitors to muster an attack, substitute Luke Coulson seeing his low drive comfortably saved.

Only a fine save by Ashmore then denied Orient substitute Josh Koroma a second goal with 10 minutes left,

Fleet should have been level with three minutes left but new boy Michael Cheek fired over from close range after good work by Whitely.

Orient nearly won it in the fourth minute of stoppage time but Ashmore held on to Bonne's header.

Leyton Orient: Brill, Ling, Widdowson, Lawless (Lee 75mins), Elokobi (Ekpiteta 3mins), Coulson, McAnuff, Clay, Bonne, Brophy (Koroma 66mins), Alabi. Subs not used: Sargeant, Dayton.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, King, Magri, Powell, Adams (Whitely 77mins), Kedwell, Drury, Weston (Coulson 58mins), McQueen (Cheek 66mins), Shields, Bush. Subs not used: Miles, Payne.

Attendance: 4,710 (394 away).

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