GRAVESEND visit neighbours Dagenham on Saturday needing a point to be sure of securing Nationwide Conference football at Stonebridge Road next season.

Two second-half goals in as many minutes from substitute James Pinnock and Roy Essandoh at Leigh on Tuesday night gave the Fleet a win that takes them to within a point of the 48 prescribed by manager Andy Ford for safety.

What had been a scrappy match suddenly turned one way and then the other in the 70th minute.

First, Leigh top-scorer David Leigh played in Tristram Whitman who shot wide with just goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson to beat.

Almost immediately, the game swung back in the Fleet’s favour when Pinnock got a lucky break after goalkeeper Ian Martin’s clearance rebounded off him and he kept his composure to give his side a 73rd minute lead.

Two minutes later, Pinnock turned provider, playing in Andy Drury down the left.

His superb cross found the limping Essandoh who still had enough of a spring in his stride to rise above the Leigh defence and head home his fifth goal of the season.

With five minutes left, Moussa Sidibe spurned an excellent chance to seal victory when he shot wide when well placed.

Leigh top scorer McNiven pulled a goal back in the 90th minute - his 23rd of the season - but the visitors held on in the five minutes of stoppage time.

Manager Andy Ford said: “We're on a bit of a roll at the minute so everyone is pretty confident.

Gravesend: Wilkerson; Gledhill, Shearer, Moore, Skinner; Surey, Drury, McKimm, Sidibe; Essandoh, Omoyinmi. Substitutions: Pinnock for Omoyinmi 46 mins, Lee for Shearer 69 mins, Walshe for Essandoh 80 mins. Not used: Mitten, Owen.

Attendance: 304