Gravesend & N 0 Halifax 3

NEW Gravesend manager Liam Daish accused his side of lacking aggression as his four-match unbeaten run since taking charge ended with Tuesday's home defeat by Halifax.

Daish, who had presided over three wins and a draw since succeeding Andy Ford last month, watched helpless as his side were ripped apart by a Halifax side who soared into second place in the Nationwide Conference after the win.

"When I talk about aggression, I'm not talking about players going around kicking the opposition," said Daish. "I'm talking about things like aggressive running.

"Halifax are good side but we paid them too much respect, especially in a most disappointing first half. Though we improved in the second half, I thought we lacked self-belief."

Defeat was the worst possible preparation for the Fleet's biggest match of the season on Saturday when they visit Bishops Stortford in an FA Trophy, quarter-final.

"I'm not going to say that we weren't thinking about Saturday," Daish added. "I would be lying if I said it had not crossed our minds."When you play a side as good as Halifax you have to be on your mettle with 100 per cent commitment, which we didn't have."

The Fleet were in trouble as early as the third minute when Martin Foster took advantage of a square home defence to score a simple goal. Dean Powell made it 2-0 in the 35th minute but Halifax had to wait until the 90th for their third, scored by substitute Lewis Kileen.