Ebbsfleet keeper Louie Moulden produced a man-of-the-match performance to deny Dorking Wanderers maximum points in National League South on Saturday.

The visitors had plenty of chances to take all three points but Moulden was outstanding as he made a string of excellent saves to deny them.

Fleet made two changes from the side that won at St Albans last weekend with Adam Mekki and Craig Tanner coming into the line-up.

It was Shaquile Coulthirst’s best display in a Fleet shirt, his link-up play was causing Dorking problems and alongside the lively Rakish Bingham it meant the visitors had plenty on their plate.

Fleet were nearly given a helping hand inside 11 minutes but Dorking keeper Dan Lincoln had to tip over a header from his own defender, Isaac Philpott, following Craig Tanner’s right-wing corner.

The game came to life with two goals inside two minutes. Dorking struck first when a left-wing cross by Callum Kennedy was not cleared by the Fleet and James McShane drilled home a right-foot shot from 10 yards.

Fleet’s response was immediate. A delightful through ball by Coulthirst sliced open the Dorking defence and left Bingham clean through against Lincoln, he never looked like missing as he shot low and hard to the keeper’s right.

Christian N’Guessan broke through to set up Coulthirst, who shot over the bar but Dorking had the majority of possession before the break.

They passed the ball around at will, pulling Fleet one way and then the other. Alfie Rutherford dropped deep to receive the ball before shooting at keeper Louie Moulden from distance.

Dorking created an excellent chance when Niall McManus exchanged passes with Rutherford inside the box but Moulden spread himself well to save low down.

The on-loan Wolves keeper made a flying stop to hold onto Rutherford’s header from an Oldaker free-kick before McShane took an early shot on after two passes opened up the Fleet defence.

Moulden again impressed early in the second half, producing a double save to deny McShane and then former Fleet man Bobby-Joe Taylor

The home side were content to sit deep in their shape and allow Dorking possession but they were often lacking numbers going forward when they did win the ball back. For a team that needed to win the game to get back onto the fringes of the title race, it seemed a strange approach.

If a third goal was going to arrive, it seemed certain that Dorking would take it.

Moulden again did well to deny Rutherford, Kennedy just missed the target and McShane’s header was saved.

Referee Richie Watkins made a number of questionable decisions, particularly in the second half which saw the majority of the 1,271 voice their frustrations in his direction.

The Fleet, one Ben Chapman shot from distance apart, did not have an attack for over 30 minutes. But they nearly went ahead with nine minutes left when two substitutes combined. Lee Martin worked his way to the byline and pulled the ball back for Dominic Poleon, who was denied by Lincoln.

Two minutes later, Fleet again went close as Poleon’s shot from 20 yards went a whisker wide of the upright.

Ebbsfleet: Moulden, J Martin, Jombati, Solly, N’Guessan, Tanner (Romain 74mins), Mekki (L Martin 79mins), Paxman, Chapman, Coulthirst (Poleon 60mins), Bingham. Subs not used: Haigh, Wood.

Dorking: Lincoln, McManus, Fogden, Rutherford (Prior 71mins), B Taylor (Muitt 71mins), J Taylor, Kennedy, Gallagher, McShane, Philpott, Oldaker (Moore 46mins). Subs not used: Harris, Rodari.

Referee: Richie Watkins.

Attendance: 1,271.