Both managers see red as nine-man Ebbsfleet stun 10-man Hawks in National League South

The nine men of Ebbsfleet grabbed a 2-1 victory against the ten men of Hawks in a game where both managers - Paul Doswell and Dennis Kutrieb - were also dismissed shortly before half-time.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark when Hawks midfielder Theo Widdrington caught Fleet’s Chris Solly with a late challenge. Solly immediately jumped up and retaliated, with both men shown the red card.

Two minutes later, the visitors were down to nine when skipper Lee Martin - booked for a diving in the first half - was dismissed for a foul on Josh Taylor.

The scores were level at the time, with Craig Robson having cancelled out Rakish Bingham’s early goal four minutes into the second half.

But it was Fleet who stunned their hosts with a 77th minute winner, sub Dominic Poleon scoring within 24 seconds of entering the fray.

It was the first time since early in 2015/16 that Hawks have lost four successive league matches, while it was the first time since August 2006 that Doswell had suffered such a run as a manager.

This could have been the last game of the season, though, as the National League clubs have been voting on whether to carry on playing or null and void the campaign. While the top flight is expected to continue, it appears that the majority of clubs in the sixth tier want to curtail 2020/21. The result of the vote could be made public any day soon.

Doswell had rung the changes in the wake of last Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Hemel Hempstead.

One was enforced with Oxford United loanee Nico Jones suspended as a result of a red card on debut against Notts County the previous weekend.

But the other four saw George McLennan, Bedsente Gomis, Leon Chambers-Parillon and Roarie Deacon all dropped.

Anthony Straker was recalled at left back in place of McLennan with Sam Magri and Craig Robson in the centre of defence and Aryn Williams handed his first start at right back.

Theo Widdrington was recalled in the centre of midfield and Poole Town striker Tony Lee handed his Hawks debut up front with Tommy Wright.

Ex-Fleet favourite Danny Kedwell was another restored to the starting XI, playing in behind Lee and Wright.

Fleet striker Bingham entered the match having score four times in his previous four league games, and he needed only four minutes to net his 11th of the season.

A nice passing move split Hawks open and Bingham confidently struck an Alfie Egan cross past keeper Joe Tupper, again deputising for Ross Worner (shoulder injury).

In a first half of few chances at either end, Lee had Hawks’ best two opportunities.

First, he stretched to head a Kedwell cross wide, but had he left the ball then Robson had a free header six yards out.

Billy Clifford then found Lee on the left hand side of the penalty area, but instead of shooting with his left foot he tried to lob Holmes with his right - the keeper gathering the effort at the second attempt.

Fleet skipper Lee Martin was booked for diving, a decision which Kutrieb described as ‘unbelievable’ - the German’s voice echoing around a near deserted stadium.

Shortly before the interval, Doswell and Kutrieb became involved in a heated touchline discussion, which saw the Hawks boss encroach into the Fleet technical area. Referee Staynings was eventually called over, and promptly showed both bosses the red card.

Hawks levelled in the 49th minute when Kedwell knocked down a cross into Lee’s path. Though his low shot was palmed away by Holmes, it was straight to Robson who fired into an empty net

Following the three quick red cards, Hawks struggled to create many openings despite their numerical advantage.

Hawks threw on Gomis and Deacon but it was Fleet sub Poleon – once of Leeds United - who made the most dramatic of entrances off the bench. He had only been on the pitch for 24 seconds when he struck the winner. Controlling a pass with his first touch, he fired past Tupper with his second.

The nearest Hawks came to a leveller was when Magri delivered a lovely right wing cross which the third sub, Joe Iaciofano, headed straight at Holmes.

Fleet could have made it 3-1 when Egan’s mazy run took him clear of the defence, but Tupper was out well to block and then dive on the loose ball.

Hawks: Tupper, Straker, Williams (Deacon, 73), Magri, Robson, Widdrington, Clifford, Taylor, Kedwell (Iaciofano, 82), Wright, Lee (Gomis, 66).

Ebbsfleet: Holmes, Adebayo-Rowling, Taylor, Kahraman, Goodman, Wood (Mekki, 66), Egan (West, 90), Solly, Paxman, Martin, Bingham (Poleon, 77).