Gravesend & N 2 Northwich Victoria 2

GRAVESEND & Northfleet went through the full range of emotions in a thrilling draw with Northwich Victoria at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Fleet thought they had claimed all three Conference points in the season opener when defender Chris Moore rammed the ball home with just four minutes left on the clock.

But a last-minute equaliser from Northwich’s Mark Devlin meant the game finished all square, although there was still time for Gravesend substitute Moussa Sidibe to be sent off for diving. The incident let a sour taste in the mouth of Fleet manager Andy Ford.

“He went past two defenders and showed them a clean pair of heels and one of them clipped him in the box. We believed it was a penalty so for him to be sent off for diving was very hard to take.

“It’s just a shame we’re talking about referees rather than the match this early in the season. But although we’re disappointed to drop two points, there were plenty of positives to build on.”

Earlier Jimmy Jackson had put Fleet 1-0 up in the 12th minute, heading home a Manny Omoyinmi cross, before Jon Allan scored Northwich’s first equaliser on the hour mark.

Gravesend will look to pick up their first win of the season when they travel to Canvey Island on Tuesday.

Gravesend: Wilkinson, Gledhill, Rouse, Porter, Omoyinmi, McKimm, Jackson, Essendoh, Surey, Moore, Drury (Sidibe, 65 mins). Subs not used: Shearer, Mitten, Pinnock, Sidibe, Saunders