The history boys

A superb defensive display from Ebbsfleet proved enough to keep Aldershot at bay and secure a 4-2 aggregate win in their FA Trophy Semi-Final.

The Kent side battled to a 1-1 draw, completing their good work from the first leg, and will now appear at Wembley for the first time in the club’s history in The Final.

Aldershot had the majority of the possession in the first half as they flooded forward to try and reduce the 3-1 first-leg deficit.

The Ebbsfleet defence withstood heavy pressure but, aside from a Louis Soares effort which was well saved by Lance Cronin, there were few clear-cut opportunities and the Shots were frustrated to go in at half-time goalless.

Aldershot manager Gary Waddock made a double substitution after the break to try and achieve the breakthrough, and the fresh legs made an immediate impact.

Ben Harding combined well with substitute Scott Donnelly who played a perfectly-weighted through-ball to Junior Mendes.

The Shots striker made no mistake as he smashed the ball home leaving his side 30 minutes to get the all-important second goal.

But the goal never came as Liam Daish’s side bravely held out. Deep into stoppage time, Ebbsfleet hit their opponents on the counter-attack as Michael Bostwick bundled home an equaliser after Shots keeper Nicky Bull had done well to parry Stacey Long’s effort.

Waddock was left to reflect on what might have been after his team’s poor first-leg performance.

"We had to come out with all guns blazing but they defended very well," he said. "In these two-leg ties you can’t afford to play like we did last time and still get through."