By Steve Tervet

Preston Edwards saved a penalty from former team-mate Ashley Carew to earn Ebbsfleet a point against promotion hopefuls Cambridge on Tuesday.

Edwards (pictured) had an inspired evening, pulling off several crucial saves in a first half dominated by the visitors.

Having already denied Luke Berry from point-blank range, Edwards was faced with the task of thwarting Carew from 12 yards when Harrison Dunk was hauled down by Craig Stone. However, the ex-Fleet midfielder fluffed his lines and Edwards palmed out the penalty.

As Cambridge poured forward, Edwards was again called upon to keep the scoresheet blank, tipping Tom Shaw’s drive around the post.

Berry struck the outside of the post and Edwards threw himself at the feet of Rossi Jarvis. After the break, it was a different story as Fleet looked to set the agenda. Nathaniel Pinney twice fired into the side-netting, while Calum Willock and Joe Howe had shots blocked.

Former Fleet striker Michael Gash tested Edwards from distance before Danny Naisbitt palmed out a Ricky Shakes shot at the other end.

Liam Enver-Marum fired over and Cambridge went close to a dramatic late winner but it finished honours even.

Fleet boss Liam Daish said: "Preston’s got his clean sheet bonus and he deserves it because he’s kept the penalty out and helped us through a tricky spell.

"We had chances and maybe lacked that final bit of quality but we’re playing against another full-time outfit."

Picture: North-West Evening Mail