Gravesend & Northfleet 1 Accrington Stanley 3

Friday night football has struck a cord with Kent football followers as 1,560 witnessed Fleet’s last home league game - their 2-0 victory over fierce rivals Canvey Island - and tonight’s game attracted the club’s highest crowd of the season when 1,616 flocked through the turnstiles.

They certainly enjoyed the start of this encounter as the Kent side took the game to the runaway leaders with striker, Mark Rawle, whose on loan from Woking, twice going close within the opening two minutes.

His 25-yard low drive was comfortably saved by visiting goalkeeper Robert Elliot, before he lifted another shot agonisingly onto the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Accrington, supported by a small, but vocal following, had their first shot on goal after 15 minutes when Ian Craney’s 20-yard drive lacked conviction and rolled harmlessly wide.

Craney, however, got closer later on, when his shot deflected just past the far post but they took the lead, against the run of play, after 35 minutes.

Gravesend & Northfleet failed to clear Gary Roberts’ left-footed corner and midfielder Danny Slatter looped a back header against his own post and the ball fell nicely for Andrew Todd to nod home his first goal of the season from close range.

Slatter almost made amends later in the half but drove a shot wide of the target and Fleet goalkeeper, Craig Holloway, was equal to Roberts’ right-footed curling free kick from 30-yards.

The Fleet twice went close with headers early in the second half, with striker Onome Sodje, whose on work-experience from Charlton Athletic, heading agonisingly wide of the left upright and defender Ross Smith came up for Andy Drury’s corner. The 25-year-old Canadian, however, playing his first season in the Conference, was denied by a smart save from Elliot.

The impressive Roberts then played in Craney, whose left-footed drive flashed past the far post.

Blonde haired Slatter, voted man-of-the-match, almost drew the Kent side level on the hour mark but his right-footed effort from 20-yards, following his penetrating run, flashed wide.

Accrington, however, doubled their lead after 66 minutes when, from ten yards, their skipper Paul Mullin found the bottom right hand corner past the diving goalkeeper.

Roberts’ left footed free kick from 28-yards had Holloway beaten but the former Arsenal goalkeeper was relieved to see the ball cannon back off the crossbar.

The visitors grabbed a third goal with ten minutes left when Mullin tapped home his 12^th goal of the season from six-yards after Roberts’ low centre.

But former Margate defender, Ross Smith was on hand to head home his third of the season eight minutes later following a cross from the left from Robert Watkins for a deserved consolation.

Although disappointed with the result, Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish, was pleased with the performance of his young side.

“I thought the players were excellent and I couldn’t fault them,” he said.

But the manager bemoaned his side’s poor luck, especially when Slatters’ back header came back off the post, which led to the Lancashire side stealing a first half lead.

“Everybody needs a little bit of luck and it didn’t go for us for the first goal,” he said.

“But all credit to the lads, we had another go at it, we’ve played some good stuff today but it wasn’t to be.

“The lads can look at themselves in the mirror this week and know they’ve had a right go at it and they’ve earned their money.”

Daish, however, admitted you’re never going to get much change out of the runaway league leaders - he tips will be playing League Two football next season.

“That’s a young side in there and I’ve got to realise that,” he said. “We’re not experienced, we’re very young. One thing they do give you is a bit of enthusiasm and a lot of hard work.

“Sometimes you’re lacking a bit of experience and a little bit of nous in front of goal but I thought we did everything today, especially in the first half but score a goal.”

He added: “They’re a good side and are top of the league by 11 (now 14) points. I think they’ll be in the league next year.

“I don’t think you’re gonna play a side like that and expect to pepper their keeper but we had enough possession. We probably lacked a little bit of quality from dead balls or corners and that.

“I’ve got as much as I can out of the players today and they got as much out themselves so I can’t be disappointed.”

Although disappointed with the result, good performances warrant a push towards the play-off’s. “I want to see what the results are tomorrow. It could be very close this year. If we keep performing we have got a chance,” added Daish.

* We shall bring you and interview with Gravesend & Northfleet’s goalscorer, Ross Smith over the weekend, as he looks ahead to his first ever visit to Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night.

Gravesend & Northfleet: Craig Holloway, James Smith, Robert Watkins, Ross Smith, Bradley Johnson (Ashley Fuller 90), Onome Sodje, Andy Drury, Bobby Bowry (Steve McKimm 81), Mark Rawle, Scott Gooding (Luke Moore 70)
Subs: Aaron Kerr, Paul McCarthy.

Accrington Stanley: Robert Elliot, Phillip Edwards, Michael Welch, Robert Williams, Andrew Tretton, Leam Richardson, Andrew Todd, Ian Craney (Paul Cook 88), Romauld Boco, Paul Mullin (Capt), Gary Roberts.
Subs: Daniel Alcock, Andrew Mangan, David Brown, Daniel Ventre.

Attendance: 1616
Referee: Mr Lee
Assistants: Mr B Knight & Mr A Laver
Fourth Official: Mr G Hoare