Ebbsfleet United’s opening game in the Skrill South ended in a goalless stalemate against Havant & Waterlooville at Stonebridge Road.

With expectation in the air after a turbulent past three months having seen the Fleet rise from the Ashes like a phoenix, almost a thousand fans packed into the ground to see Steve Brown’s first competitive game in charge.

However, they were to be denied goals and much goalmouth action as the two sides battled it out for a point apiece.

With a much changed line up from last season, Fleet went into the game without strikers Ben May and Billy Bricknell who were both missing with back injuries.

That saw Stacy Long playing in the hole behing lone striker Michael Thalassitis, whilst Dominic Green and Anthony Cook patrolled the wings.

It was a difficult start to the game with neither side prepared to throw the kitchen sink from the off with neither keeper really having a save to make in the opening 45 minutes.

Former Gillingham striker Dennis Oli kept the Fleet defence busy, whilst the ever tricky Sahr Kabba showed glimpses of skill that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

As the rain began to pour down, Christian Nanetti managed to beat the Fleet defence and send in a pinpoint cross, but Kabba managed to clear the bar with his strike.

At the other end, Cook glanced Aiden Palmer’s cross just wide of the upright to send the two sides in level at the break.

Little changed in the second period with both sides again failing to impress in the final third.

Fleet keeper Preston Edwards was the busier of the two keepers, but in truth neither custodian had a busy afternoon. The England C keeper had to be alert on the hour mark as Kabba prodded the ball goalwards after evading a challenge from Paul Lorraine, getting back onto his line to gather.

Chances came and went for both sides as the game wound down, but neither could find that killer touch in front of goal and Fleet had to settle for a point.

Brown will now prepare his troops for what could be one of their biggest games of the season when Fleet head to Crabble on Tuesday night to face former side Dover Athletic.

Ebbsfleet United line up: Preston Edwards, Joe Howe, Aiden Palmer, Michael Corcoran, Shane Huke, Paul Lorraine, Dominic Green, Dean Rance, Michael Thalassitis, Shane Long (Tom Phipp 88), Anthony Cook.

Subs not used: Brandon Hall, Chris Sessegnon, Osei Sankofa, Alex Osborn.

Booked: Corcoran, Phipp.

Havant & W line up: Scott Bevan, Jake Newton, Daniel Blanchett, Eddie Hutchinson, Dan Strugnell, Ed Harris, Christian Nanetti, Jesse Kewley-Graham, Dennis Oli (Scott Jones 79), Sahr Kabba, Steve Ramsey (Nic Ciardini 70).

Subs not used: Ryan Woodford, Pedro Monteiro, Alek Przespoleski.

Referee: Mr Stephen Daly

Attendance: 973