Elliot Bradbrook headed a late equaliser to earn Dartford a draw against local rivals Ebbsfleet at Princes Park.

The result was probably fair on a night when the Darts hit the woodwork three times before the break and Ebbsfleet were energised by Billy Bricknell's 50th-minute strike.

The first half was played at a lively tempo and it threw up plenty of good chances.

Jason Prior and Danny Harris both prodded shots wide for Dartford, either side of a Bricknell effort which flew the wrong side of the post at the other end.

Left-winger Dominic Green was the one trialist in the Fleet starting XI, the former Dagenham & Redbridge man having previously played at Princes Park on loan for Dartford. He delivered a deep cross which Ben May headed straight at Alan Julian.

Bradbrook surged through midfield and fed Prior, whose powerful low shot brushed the base of the post on its way behind.

Ryan Hayes hit the bar with a right-footed strike and the winger then saw another effort deflect onto the post as Dartford began to get on top.

In central midfield, Bradbrook was winning the battle with Tom Phipp and the Darts skipper almost opened the scoring late in the half with a precise shot that drew a good save from Brandon Hall.

Dartford should have been ahead at the break but they fell behind just five minutes after the restart. May won the ball wide on the right and played it inside to Bricknell, whose shot flashed past the left hand of Julian, kissed the inside of the post and eventually nestled in the far corner.

The goal seemed to give Ebbsfleet confidence and they controlled the game for a while.

After a rash of substitutions, the Darts came back into it and Lee Noble curled a shot straight at Hall from the edge of the box.

Ebbsfleet's new signing Anthony Cook had a good game but he played the pantomime villain for a couple of minutes late on. First he was booked for needlessly getting involved with Lee Burns and then the winger smiled and waved to the furious home fans when he was substituted soon afterwards.

But it was Dartford who had the last laugh. Hayes floated in a delicious free-kick from wide on the right and Bradbrook's glancing header fizzed past Hall.

Dartford: Julian; Burns, Clark, Sterling (Rogers 73mins), Fry; Hayes, Cornhill, Bradbrook, Noble; Harris (Collier 71mins), Prior (Ibemere 46mins). Subs not used: Eisa, Monger, Allen, Vint, Azeez, Wellham.

Ebbsfleet: Hall; Sankofa (Palmer 46mins), Huke (Mitchell-King 46mins), Lorraine (Corcoran 77mins), Howe; Cook (Fakinos 84mins), Phipp (McMahon 61mins), Long, Green (Rance 46mins); May, Bricknell (Johnson-Cole 71mins). Sub not used: Edwards.

Attendance: 704.