So, Aldershot and their fans just need to be patient, after the results required for promotion to the Football League did not happen on Tuesday evening.

For a few tantalising minutes — seven — it appeared that Stonebridge Road, home of Ebbsfleet United, would be the venue for Aldershot’s historic return to where they belong, in the Football League.

John Grant had just put the Shots 2-1 up and Torquay were being held 1-1 at home to Oxford. Had things stayed that way, the Shots would be up. First stop Ebbsfleet International, next stop the Football League.

But Torquay, who had trailed to a first-minute goal, came back to win 3-2 and were ahead by the time former-Shot Chris McPhee swept in a deserved equaliser for Ebbsfleet.

Now, the Shots must look to finish the job at home to Burton Albion tomorrow (Saturday), depending on how Torquay do on their trip to Stevenage.

But, don’t be surprised if, to be absolutely certain, the Shots will need something from the away trip next Tuesday to Exeter City or, even, the Saturday afterwards at Halifax Town.

While the manner of conceding a late equaliser was a kick in the teeth for Gary Waddock and his players, the manager was quick to accentuate the positives of another point gained. A draw at Ebbsfleet United, in normal circumstances, is a fair result. After all, just look what happened to the Shots at Stonebridge Road last month in the FA Trophy semi-final: a 3-1 defeat.

"This is a difficult place to come to," said Waddock. "We were leading with two minutes to go and it would have been great to get the three points.

"But a point away from home, is doesn’t matter where you are, is a good point. Especially here."

That said, Waddock kept his players behind dressing room closed doors for some time after the final whistle. The job is not done yet.

"Tonight wasn’t the night and we still have to go and win," said Waddock. "The job hasn’t been done, the season is not finished yet. We have to make sure that we keep on picking up points."

Given how many games Aldershot have won by just the odd goal in the league this season — 20 — and the somewhat fortuitous nature of several of those wins, the Shots could have few complaints with Ebbsfleet’s equaliser, even if it came so late in the day.

"I think it was a fair reflection," said Waddock. "In the end we’ve conceded a sloppy goal but I’ll take the point. I didn’t think we got going the way we can in the first half but the guys responded after the break.

"At 2-1 we had chances to kill the game off but, then again, Bully [Nikki Bull] has made a number of good saves, yet again."

Bull made an astonishing double save from Neil Barrett in the first half — the offside flag went up for the second shot, but Bull was not to know — and, three minutes before McPhee’s late goal, Bull denied the game’s outstanding player, Stacey Long, in a one-on-one situation.

Luke Moore hit the side-netting after rounding Bull in the second half and Ben Harding blocked a goalbound shot: Ebbsfleet were good value for their two goals.

While Anthony Charles had another commanding performance at the back, captain Rhys Day, out with a minor leg injury, was missed alongside him.

Dave Winfield is injured too, so Ricky Newman came in and was given a testing evening by an Ebbsfleet attack missing Chukki Eribenne and John Akinde, who had caused the Shots so many problems in the Trophy.

But it was out wide where the Shots struggled most. Long tormented Rob Gier in the Trophy game at Stonebridge and it was another uncomfortable evening for the right back. Ebbsfleet’s opening goal, after 14, turned in by Moore, came from a cross from Gier’s side.

And, on the left of defence, Anthony Straker failed to settle and he was partly to blame for McPhee’s equaliser, failing to cut out a cross.

But credit must got to McPhee too, for a flashing finish, high into the roof of Bull’s net.

By the end, Aldershot were walking wounded, with both Harding and Soares carrying cut lips, Chalmers hobbling with a hamstring problem and Scott Donnelly only got up gingerly from a heavy challenge right on the final whistle.

"We picked up some knocks tonight," said Waddock. "We’ll have to wait to see the state of play with them. We haven’t got the biggest squad in the world and there’s a big game to come on Saturday too."

Chalmers must be a huge doubt for the Burton match — he looks set to be suspended for the Exeter and Halifax games after picking up a tenth booking of the season — but the good news is that Day is expected to be fit tomorrow.

Even better news is the return to full fitness of John Grant. In a glorious 15-minute period in the second half the Shots turned the game on its head — thanks to Grant’s head.

Twice he was johnny-on-the-spot to claim classic poacher’s goals. First, in the 56th minute, after Louie Soares had headed Kirk Hudson’s cross against the bar, Grant dived first to the rebound to beat keeper Lance Cronin.

Then, in the 71st minute, after good work by Rob Elvins and substitute Joel Grant, Chalmers cushioned a header back across goal and Grant dived in for another close-range header.

"The goals were pretty similar," said Waddock. "I am pleased for Granty and I feel we stepped on a little in the second half. But they competed extremely well and continued to cause us problems.

"It was an open game, it always is with us. But it sets it up for the weekend and I am already looking forward to it."

Aldershot: Bull, Gier (Joel Grant 65), Straker, Newman, Charles, Chalmers (Donnelly 90), Soares, Harding, John Grant, Elvins, Hudson. Not used: Jaimez-Ruiz, Hylton, Mendes.

First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail