GRAVESEND & Northfleet boss Andy Ford has warned his players not to defend like a pub side otherwise they will be dragged into a relegation fight in the Conference this season.

After watching his side score twice but concede three at Scarborough on Saturday, the Fleet manager was in no doubt where his team's strengths and weaknesses are.

"We attacked like Arsenal and defended like the Dog & Duck," Ford claimed. "We need to brush up on our defending because it's not up to scratch at the moment.

"There are many reasons why this is the case, including the amount of injuries to defenders we have had to contend with this season. We have needed to bring some players back into the team a little earlier than I would have wanted.

"But this has given a number of fringe players the opportunity to play Conference football when they might not have had the chance."

Despite their disappointing defensive record, Gravesend have been in good form at the other end of the pitch, with just four teams in the league having netted more than their 32 goals this season.