Gravesend made hard work of bottom-of-the-table opponents Diss before winning their penultimate National League 3 London & South East game of the season 29-20.

Despite taking the lead through the boot of Dave Dorton, the visitors ended the half 13-6 behind with a reshuffle to the Graves backs compounded by two Chris Beaird penalties and his conversion after a penalty try.

The second half opened with another Diss try, centre Warren Wilby racing through to touch down between the posts, and Beaird’s extras increased the advantage to 20-6.

Adam Bishop’s score began the Gravesend fightback, and with Dorton’s conversion they trailed by seven, but Diss continued to push and only a firm display from the visiting defence prevented further points.

Graves were rewarded when Dorton’s penalty narrowed the deficit to just four and James Harris made full use of his pace when he received the ball from Moorey to cross wide out. Dorton kept his nerve with the conversion and added two more penalties to clinch victory.