Gravesend & Northfleet 2 Morecambe 1

GRAVESEND recorded a vital win against Nationwide Conference play-off rivals Morecambe at Stonbridge Road on Saturday.

The sides sat fourth and fifth respectively at the start of play and there was little to choose between them on the pitch for the bulk of the game.

Fleet took the lead on eight minutes when Charlie MacDonald was adjudged to have been fouled by veteran defender Jim Bentley in the box.

MacDonald picked himself up to send Morecambe keeper Steven Drench the wrong way from the penalty spot and notch his 20th goal of the season.

The visitors were level within six minutes when Gravesend failed to clear a corner and Craig Stanley's shot found its way in under the returning Luke McShane.

MacDonald should have restored the home side's lead before half-time but he was denied by Drench when clean through.

The winner came 11 minutes into the second half when Stacy Long's cross was met superbly on the volley by Joel Ledgister coming in from the opposite wing.

Gravesend: McShane, Ledgister (Coleman 88), R Smith, McCarthy, Hawkins, Opinel, Long, Quinn, DeBolla (Ricketts 78), Moore (Sodje 88), MacDonald.
Subs Not Used: Mott, J Smith.
Attendance: 1,156.

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