Gravesend & N 0 Kettering 2

GRAVESEND & Northfleet crashed to defeat against the Conference’s bottom club Kettering as an old boy ensured their nightmare run continues.

The defeat made it seven games without a win for Fleet, who are falling ever closer to the relegation zone.

And the early damage was done by former Fleet player Simon Parker, who joined Kettering to be closer to his base at Nottingham University. His defence-splitting pass after 12 minutes put Niall Inman through on goal, and he rolled the ball past Paul Wilkerson to open the scoring. It was an important finish as chances in the match were few and far between.

Justin Skinner and Hamid Barr both had opportunities to equalise for Fleet, with Barr in particular spurning one clear-cut chance when he put the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

But Kettering, with former Leeds man Carl Shutt at the helm, extended their lead in the 38th minute when Craig Norman rose unchallenged to head home a Scott Goodwin free kick.

Fleet manager Andy Ford tried to liven his team up at the interval by bringing on Craig Wilkins and new signing Luke Gedling, but his side never really created the chances to get back into the match.

Kettering came close to making the scoreline even more convincing in the 85th minute but Gez Murphy’s shot went just wide.

Afterwards Ford said: “We have the core of the side out with injuries, but we can't keep using that as an excuse.

"We didn't play well on Saturday and we lost to a bad team. We are having problems in both penalty boxes at the moment, giving away bad goals and failing to convert our chances.

“But morale is fine and I expect to add to the squad over the next few weeks. We have to start picking up points again.

“Simon Parker played well. He's a good footballer and I'd like to have him back when he's finished at university.”

Gravesend: Wilkerson, Lee, Barnett (Wilkins, 46 mins), Burton, Skinner, Kwashi, Strouts, Bentley, Jackson, Abbott (Nutter, 80 mins), Barr (Gedling, 46 mins).