Pablo Asensio believes a late Danny Mills strike has kept Whitehawk’s promotion hopes alive.

And, if the Hawks boss did not think that to start with, his players would have quickly convinced him.

Mills struck in the 82nd minute after Sergio Torres’ shot was parried to give his side a lifeline in their Vanarama National League South semi-final last night.

They go to Ebbsfleet for the second leg trailing 2-1 after Stuart Lewis and Danny Kedwell scored in either half for the counter-attacking Kent side.

But Hawks are convinced they are still in the contest.

Asensio said: “I was going to talk to my players afterwards and they didn’t let me speak. I got into the changing room and they said ‘Don’t worry, Pablo. We are going to win it on Sunday’.

“It’s unbelievable we didn’t win (last night) but the amount of confidence they have got is doing my team talk for me. They did not let me say anything. They said ‘After today, we realise we are going to win’.”

The Argus:

Nick Arnold thanks the vibrant Hawks fans at full-time

The part home goalkeeper Craig Ross played in keeping the tie alive should not be overlooked as Ebbsfleet broke quickly on occasions in the second half.

He even got a hand to the second goal he conceded.

Asensio was bewildered as to how Kedwell’s thunderbolt free-kick got through the wall for what proved to be Ebbsfleet’s winner on the night.

But Hawks attacked with enthusiasm down the slope in the second half and Mills struck from an angle when Torres’ low drive was only pushed out by Nathan Ashmore.

The Argus:

Ebbsfleet keeper Nathan Ashmore copes well under pressure

That goal might have the spirit-reviving effect which James Wilson’s appeared to have for Albion against Derby on Monday.

Jake Robinson played a big part in the move and went closest to equalising soon afterwards as he flashed a drive past the angle.

Nick Arnold hit the outside of a post for Hawks when the score was 1-0 and there were a few skirmishes in the goalmouth as the hosts attacked towards the goal behind which their ever-noisy supporters were packed in.

Hawks will go into the second leg with nothing to lose.

They finished the season three places and 20 points behind their visitors but came strong late on in the campaign and took that into the opening stages last night.

David Martin headed an early chance off target when a cleverly worked free-kick left him unmarked at the far post.

But a few warning signs started to appear midway through the half and they went behind in the 29th minute.

Former Scunthorpe striker Matt Godden was always a threat. After a couple of near things himself, he got Kedwell breaking away down the inside-right channel and the latter’s low ball in was deftly guided home off the far post by Lewis.

The Argus:

Hawks skipper Sergio Torres gets on the ball

Asensio said: “It’s the first time we have lost in a long time and the first time we have conceded two goals. But the second half was 110% Whitehawk. We put them under extreme pressure and had several chances.

“Danny’s goal was massive, not only in the second leg but in the game tonight. As soon as he scored we all came back to life, penetrating on the wings and pushing for a goal.

“I think a fair result, minimum, we are talking a 2-2 draw.”

He added: ”We lost in a proper final to a proper club, Ebbsfleet.”

Yes and no, Pablo. It’s a proper contest but it's only a semi-final.

And Hawks will tell you they haven’t lost this yet.

MATCH FACTS

Whitehawk: Ross, Graham (Sessegnon 80), Rose, M’Boungou, Rents; Arnold, Mendy (Ijaha 73), Torres, Martin; Robinson, Mills. Subs not used: Fraser, Gargan, Gotta.

Goal: Mills 82.

Yellow card: Mendy (14) foul, Graham (39) foul, Torres (73) foul.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore; Pooley, Acheampong, Clark, Howe; Deering, Lewis, Rance, Cook; Kedwell, Godden (Sheringham 87). Subs not used: Miles, Bonner, Parkes, Shields.

Goals: Lewis 29, Kedwell 74.

Yellow card: Godden (41) simulation, Rance (58) foul, Cook (90+1) foul.

Attendance: 1,055 (319 away).

Referee: Andrew Laver.