Braintree Town 0 Gravesend & N 2

LEAGUE leaders Gravesend & Northfleet recorded arguably their most important victory of the season as they defeated high-flying Braintree Town at Cressing Road on Saturday.

The Fleet, who could clinch the Ryman League, Premier Division title on Saturday, needed to withstand a spirited first half display from the home side before scoring twice in the second period to take the three points.

Braintree came close to finding the back of the net on a couple of occasions in the opening half, none more so than Nicky Simpson, whose neat lob on the stroke of half time bounced off the face of the crossbar with away goalkeeper Jamie Turner stranded.

Fleet boss Andy Ford decided to make a double change shortly after the interval by bringing on Paul Booth and Liam Hatch and it paid immediate dividends. A low cross by Hatch was back-heeled home by Danny Lye.

With a one-goal cushion, Gravesend were able to relax and play their best football of the match and it only seemed a matter of time before they doubled their lead.

Jimmy Jackson had one cleared off the line and substitute Simon Parker saw his shot well saved by the home goalkeeper, before Booth sealed the victory with two minutes remaining as he tapped in from close range after Francis Duku had deftly flicked a corner into his path.

The result means that if Gravesend beat Boreham Wood on Saturday and second-placed Canvey Island fail to beat Sutton United on the same day, the league crown will be on its way to Stonebridge Road.

Ford said: "We just needed an early goal to relieve all the tension but, once we got it, I thought we would go on and win.

"I think the pressure is getting into the players at the moment. We set our standards very high and we have room to improve, but we have kept our feet on the ground and will continue to do so.

"The closer we get to the end of the season the easier it will hopefully get. We've got two games left and we know we've got to win both of them."

Gravesend: Turner, Burton, Skinner, Barnett, Duku, Lye, Smith (Booth 54), Owen, Jackson, Stadhart (Parker 69), Wilkins (Hatch 54).