Ebbsfleet had to settle for a point at Stonebridge Road against fellow strugglers Chesterfield on Saturday.

Both teams had their chances in an entertaining battle played in strong winds and rain but neither had sufficient quality in the final third to grab a late winner.

Kevin Watson named Ebbsfleet manager on a permanent basis

With Fleet skipper Jack King suspended after collecting his fifth booking at Chorley in midweek, Jamie Grimes came into the back three and keeper Harry Palmer kept his place ahead of Jordan Holmes.

Despite having to make three changes to their line-up due to illness and injury, Chesterfield started brightly and almost took a seventh-minute lead. Jonathan Smith strode forward and sent his low drive from 20 yards against the upright.

The visitors’ promising start was rewarded five minutes later, however, when Gevaro’s long-range shot was spilled in the wet conditions by Palmer and Scott Boden converted from close range.

Fleet had hardly got out of their own half but they were level following their first attack after 17 minutes.

Myles Weston, who found space with ease down the right at times, cut inside and shot against the inside of the near post, leaving Gozie Ugwu to react quickest and tuck away his fourth goal in three games.

Not taking the warning on board, Chesterfield again afforded Weston plenty of space minutes later but he shot narrowly wide of the upright from distance.

As the rain got heavier and conditions tougher on the players, the clear-cut chances dried up.

Both teams went close just before the break, Smith heading Boden’s cross wide of the far post before Alex Reid’s shot was blocked and Frankie Sutherland blazed over for the Fleet at the other end.

Fleet went ahead six minutes after the break when referee Alan Dale decided Haydn Hollis’ trip on Weston was just inside the penalty area. Ugwu claimed his second goal of the afternoon from the penalty spot with ease.

But, just like Chesterfield in the first half, Fleet’s advantage lasted only five minutes when Hollis headed in Jay Sheridan’s free-kick, a foul needlessly made by Andre Blackman.

Fleet nearly won it with 10 minutes left but Chesterfield substitute keeper Luke Coddington did well to deny Josh Umerah, who was played through by Blackman on the counter.

Ebbsfleet: Palmer, Ekpiteta, Grimes, Cordner, Weston, Sutherland (Egan 72mins), Morgan, Paynem Blackman, Ugwu, Reid (Umerah 76mins). Subs not used: Lawless, Obileye, Adeloye.

Chesterfield: Jalal (Coddington 46mins), Weir, Evans, Hollis, Sheridan, Rowley, Smith, Boden (Spyrou 72mins), Fondop, Gevaro, Buchanan (McGlashan 76mins). Subs not used: McKay, Wakefield.

Attendance: 1,025.