Gravesend & Northfleet 2 Cambridge United 0

CHARLIE MACDONALD'S 11th goal of the season helped Gravesend to all three points against Cambridge United at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

His goal, midway through the second half, gave the Fleet the lead, but it came in controversial circumstances as Cambridge defender Trevor Robinson was dismissed after being adjudged to have handled the ball on the goalline.

Top scorer MacDonald showed his ruthless streak as he coolly beat former Gillingham keeper Paul Crichton from the penalty spot.

And the points were wrapped up with eight minutes to play as Onome Sodje held off two challenges before lifting the ball over Crichton.

Fleet deserved their lead having enjoyed the lion's share of the match.

Unsurprisingly, MacDonald had looked Gravesend's most threatening player.

First, he curled a shot wide after being played in by Peter Hawkins before he was desperately unlucky to see an effort just beat the post after doing superbly well to chest the ball down and turn.

Luke Moore, Sodje and James Smith also went close for the home side, while the visitors offered little in terms of goalscoring menace.

Gravesend: Cronin, J Smith, McCarthy, Opinel, Hawkins, Ricketts, Slatter, Quinn, Moore (Coleman 87), Sodje, MacDonald.
Subs not used: Mott, Purcell, Ekoku, Anderson, Coleman.

* Keep up to date with all the news from Stonebridge Road every week in the Gravesend Messenger.