Hereford 1 Gravesend & N 0

ROY ESSANDOH had a last-minute effort ruled out for offside as Gravesend’s barren run without a win stretched to 11 games on Saturday.

Fleet’s fruitless search for their early season form continued as Jamie Pitman’s 73rd minute goal separated the sides.

Essendoh’s late disallowed goal summed up the way Fleet’s luck had been going of late.

New loan signing Craig McAllister had been brought into the team in the hope of injecting fresh ideas up-front, but they were unable to breach Craig Mawson’s goal.

Fleet were missing Manny Omoyimni and Ryan Peters for their trip to Edgar Street, both struggling with hamstring injuries, while Jimmy Jackson returned to the team.

Essandoh came close to giving Fleet an early lead as his header in the 19th minute beat Mawson but not the post.

Hereford’s top scorer Adam Stansfield was guilty of missing a great effort on the half hour as he lashed the ball over the bar.Jay Saunders came within inches of putting his side ahead on the stroke of half-time as his shot flashed just past the up-right.

Fleet remained in the game during the second half with Andy Drury having the first effort of the second half from a corner-kick with Mawson tipping the shot over.

The Bulls made the most of the sloping pitch as they went forward in numbers and Pitman’s first goal of the season was enough to take the points.

James Pullen pulled off several saves late in the game to keep the score down to one.

Fleet manager Andy Ford was disappointed his team didn’t take their chances although was still happy with their effort.

He said: "I thought we had three chances in the first half to their one and we should have taken at least one of those chances.

"We hit the post on the outside rather than the inside and I thought Roy scored a very good goal at the end. It’s the same old story at the minute and they go and get a late goal.

"I don’t think it’s got anything to do with fitness. I thought the lads gave everything and they were still going there at the end.

Gravesend: Pullen, Gledhill, Moore, McCarthy, Lovell, Drury, McKimm, Saunders, Jackson, Essandoh, McAllister. Substitution: Sidibe for Jackson 77min. Not Used: Wilkerson, Protheroe, Pinnock, Harrhy.

Attendance: 2,416.