Exeter 0 Gravesend & N 1

PROMOTION hopefuls Exeter City will be delighted to see the back of Gravesend & Northfleet after Andy Ford's men beat them for the third time this season.

A goal in the first minute of the second half from new striker Roy Essandoh was enough to give Fleet the win, to add to their 3-2 league victory in September and their dramatic FA Cup win in October.

Ford said: "It was fantastic result. Maybe we've got an edge over Exeter for some reason. Sometimes you get clubs like that.

"I was speaking with the Exeter chairman and manager after the game and they both said they were glad they don't have to play us again this season.

"I told my players Exeter were a hard working side and that they would have to work even harder if they wanted to get something from the game.

"I'm delighted with the effort they put in and I'm really pleased for Roy after his goal. He took some tick after his performance in his first game

"We defended well and looked solid across the back four. Now we need to work on improving our home form and putting a run of results together.

Exeter had only lost twice at St James Park all season but Fleet started the game strongly and looked the better side in the first half.

Steve Perkins was only narrowly off target with a shot from distance inside the first minute and Ben Abbey rattled the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box in the opening period.

Lee Protheroe then forced two fine saves out of Exeter keeper James Bittner and the visitors were unfortunate to not be leading at the interval.

But it took them less than a minute after the restart for them to put matters right.

Essandoh ran with the ball from just inside the opposition half and beat two defenders before finding the back of the net.

The goal spurred the Grecians into action and, roared on by a fanatical crowd of 3,303, they went in search of an equaliser.

Steve Flack nearly provided it when he headed against the bar, and then he wasted a good opportunity when shooting wide after being put through by Sean Devine.

But Gravesend dug deep and held out until the final whistle, although Andy Ford had his heart in his mouth when Dean Moxey wasted a great chance to equalise from close range at the death.

Ford said: "We had the rub of the green at times but you need a bit of luck when you come to places like this.

"Now we have to concentrate on winning at home against Hereford. They are all massive games at the moment."

Gravesend & Northfleet: O'Reilly, Gledhill, Skinner, Shearer, Moore, Protheroe, Owen, Perkins