By Steve Tervet

Ebbsfleet are on the verge of relegation from Blue Square Bet Premier after conceding a late equaliser against fellow strugglers Nuneaton on Saturday.

Andy Brown’s 89th-minute strike salvaged a draw Nuneaton thoroughly deserved and left the Fleet 11 points adrift of safety with just five games to play.

The visitors had already hit the woodwork three times before Brown’s goal arrived. There was an air of resignation around Stonebridge Road at the final whistle as the home fans faced the reality of dropping out of the division for the second time in four seasons.

Having endured a nightmare journey to Barrow less than three days earlier, Ebbsfleet took a while to get going but they did open the scoring on 33 minutes. Gareth Gwillim’s free-kick was only cleared as far as Tom Phipp (pictured), whose mis-hit volley looped over Boro goalkeeper Lee Burge.

James Dance went down in the box at the other end but referee Graham Horwood waved away Nuneaton’s penalty appeals. Wes York had a powerful shot saved by Preston Edwards and Brown then planted a free header over the bar as the visitors ended the half on top.

After the break, Moses Ashikodi – starting for the first time in five months – flashed a shot across the face of goal. Burge then clawed out a Jack Saville header but that was effectively the end of Ebbsfleet as an attacking force.

Nuneaton poured forward in search of an equaliser to breathe life into their own survival campaign, while the Fleet dropped deeper into defence.

Edwards was relieved to see Gavin Cowan’s header come back off the crossbar and he then held onto a firm James Armson free-kick. York and Brown both hit the woodwork moments later as the home goal led a charmed life.

It looked as though the Fleet had weathered the storm but Phil Walsh then committed a needless foul on the Ebbsfleet left. Boro substitute Tom James whipped in the free-kick and Brown applied the finishing touch at the far post.

The Fleet have drawn 10 of their 21 home fixtures in Blue Square Bet Premier and Saturday’s late lapse was indicative of their wastefulness on home soil throughout the season.

On Tuesday they visit Hyde knowing they could be relegated in Greater Manchester.

Ebbsfleet: Edwards; Howe, Walsh, Saville (Luzardo 78mins), Gwillim; Bellamy, Barrett (Stone 75mins), Carew, Phipp; Enver-Marum, Ashikodi. Subs not used: Menz, Azeez, Williams. Attendance: 695.