Gravesend pushed National League 3 London & South East leaders Barnes all the way on Saturday but came away with a narrow defeat.

Just five points separated the sides at the final whistle, with Gs pushing for the winning score right until the end.

Barnes had won all-but one of their eight previous league games but were made to work hard for their victory at the weekend.

Gs were first to put points on the board as Chris Meddings scored a penalty but the home side rattled up a 10-3 advantage with a converted try and a penalty of their own.

That lead was extended as home fly-half Gareth Williams-Davis went over for a converted try but Gs struck back when Charlie Cutting forced his way over and

Meddings’ conversion made it 17-10 at the break.

The visiting forwards were piling on the pressure at the start of the second half and they were rewarded when Jamie Forsyth crossed for his sixth try of the season. A missed conversion meant Barnes held a slender 17-15 lead.

Gs were soon trailing by some margin again as a penalty and another converted try for the hosts left them staring at a 12 point deficit.

The superiority of Gs pack saw Matt Powdrell crossed for a try and Meddings’ conversion took the scores to 27-22.

Gs knew a converted try of their own would win it, and they ran at the defence in the closing stages, but their efforts were in vain.