Aldershot 3 – 2 Gravesend & Northfleet

A STOPPAGE time goal by Tim Sills denied 10-man Gravesend a creditable draw at Aldershot on Saturday.

Fleet top scorer Charlie MacDonald looked to have earned his side a point when he turned in Bobby Bowry’s cross from close range with just four minutes to go.

But Aldershot weren’t finished and Sills stole the three points when he headed in Darren Barnard’s free-kick after substitute Scott Gooding had brought down Hassan Sulaiman in the corner.

Gravesend had got off to the worst possible start when they gave Sills too much space in the box to head in Matt Somner’s fifth minute cross.

But Liam Daish’s side were back on level terms in the 21st minute when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after a handball by Somner and MacDonald made no mistake from 12 yards.

Things turned sour for the visitors after half an hour though when Lee Protheroe handled on the line to prevent a goal.

He was promptly dismissed and Darren Barnard rifled home the penalty to regain the lead for the home side.

Onome Sodje came close for Gravesend as they tried to force their way back into the match but he was twice denied by Aldershot keeper Nikki Bull.

Gravesend: Holloway, Protheroe, McCarthy, Smith, Jackson, Johnson, Saunders, Bowry, Drury (Gooding 34), MacDonald, Sodje (Moore 69).
Subs Not Used: Kerr, Smith, Omoyinmi.Attendance: 2,415.