2ndjan05

We're just desperate for that win, says Ford

GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET manager Andy Ford took positives from their goalless draw with Crawley Town at Stonebridge Road on New Years Day.

The Fleet introduced former Farnborough Town and Stevenage Borough defender Nathan Bunce against Francis Vines' side.

The 29-year-old former Yeading and Hayes defender was signed from Weymouth as cover for Paul McCarthy, who broke his nose against Accrington Stanley four days earlier.

Ford, however, admitted his side battled well in the poor conditions against their Sussex rivals.

He told Sunday's edition of the Non League Paper:  "The team talk today was that we were fed up with people talking about 13 games without a win.

"We have now lost three games out of eight and two of those were against Barnet and Hereford, both by one goal.

"Obviously we wanted  three points desperately and the only way we are going to get out of this is by being positive.

"We want to stop people using words like freefall.  The lads have battled and battled today in difficult conditions.

"It wasn't an easy pitch to play on, it was a windy situation and it wasn't going to make for good football.

"You had to fight and scrap, and the wind spoilt it.

"If we had put our chances away in the first half we could have come in ahead at half time.  

"Crawley had a couple of chances as well and it was a bit nervy once or twice.

"We would have liked nine points from the holiday games instead of three, but it wasn't to be.

"James Pullen (goalkeeper) played well today and so did Nathan Bunce - he's a steady Eddie, a good, old fashioned centre half.

"He has a lot of experience, talks very well and takes no prisoners."

Bunce almost grabbed a late winner on his debut when he met Justin Skinner's swung in free kick but his header ricochet off the inside of a post and away to safety.

Gravesend - 14th in the Nationwide Conference - travel to rock bottom Leigh RMI next Saturday.