Fleet refused to relinquish their unbeaten summer record with an astonishing late comeback, scoring twice in the last three minutes to rescue a 2-0 deficit against Cambridge United.
An uneventful opening period livened up after the 10-minute mark when Jabo Ibehre headed a dangerous cross on to the post. Undeterred, Fleet began to play more of a passing game and utilised plenty of width on the counterattack. Dimitar Mitov saved a shot from Luke Coulson and had to be alert again when Bagasan Graham ran at him after beating two defenders.
Nathan Ashmore thwarted Emmanuel Osadebe on 36 minutes but the former Gillingham midfielder played his part in a neat Cambridge buildup four minutes later, finding Reggie Lambe who linked well with George Maris who was able to fire past Ashmore for the opening goal.
Having proved resolute for much of the half, the Fleet defence was opened up again two minutes before half-time and the same man, Maris, skipped on to Osadebe’s pass before picking his spot once more.
Maris continued to pose a threat after half-time and drew a save from Ashmore from a free-kick before Darren McQueen found the back of the net for the Fleet but to no avail as play was pulled back for a foul on Mitov, a decision which seemed dubious at best. Fleet continued to look for a route back into the game and Graham cut in from wide to deliver a shot just over Mitov’s crossbar.
Substitute Corey Whitely hit the side netting just past the hour mark before Mitov held an effort from McQueen and pushed Jack Powell’s shot from distance over the bar. Much of the time, the U’s defence kept Fleet at bay outside the box but nine minutes from time Sam Magri’s header had to be cleared off the line.
But Fleet roared back into the game in the final minutes. On 88, Kedwell – who introduced added bite into the Fleet attack – lashed home Powell’s corner and then a minute later Weston equalised, controlling a pass, turning a defender and driving a shot beyond a nonplussed Mitov for 2-2.
EUFC: Ashmore, Wilson, Magri, Bush, Winfield, Graham, Adams (Whitely 45), Powell, Weston, Coulson (Kedwell 60), McQueen (Shields 70). Subs not used: Miles, King, Moncur
CUFC: Mitov, John, Squire, Darling, Norville-Williams, Deegan, Maris, Osadebe (Corr 45), Lamb, Dunk, Ibehre. Subs: Iron, Johnston, Foy
Attendance: 414
