Ebbsfleet hold the ball up against Rushden on Tuesday. Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Graham Jones

Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish felt his side deserved more than a point after they were held to a goalless draw by Rushden in the Blue Square Premier at on Tuesday night.

Fleet enjoyed good possession but were unable to break the deadlock with substitute James Lindie’s header against the post the closest they came to scoring.

Daish said: "There was a bit more quality out there than on Saturday (in the 2-0 defeat to Oxford). The lads started well, kept the tempo high and it just lacked a goal.

"We limited them, a team that won 6-1 (against Barrow) on Saturday. We had the lion’s share of possession and some good chances but it just didn’t fall for us.

"I can’t fault that because we’ve beaten Eastbourne away, put in a good performance against the top of the table side and now competed well against Rushden."

Fleet were unable to create any clear-cut openings in the opening half-hour but their hard work started to pay off in the latter stages of the first half with two chances.

Fleet were nearly stunned by the visitors three minutes before the break when Mark Byrne’s shot cannoned off the post.

Fleet came out strongly in the second half and Ishmael Welsh’s cross was headed toward goal by Vieira only for Rushden keeper Dale Roberts to tip the ball over.

The home side continued to pressure and almost broke the deadlock when Lindie headed against the post after 68 minutes.