Histon 1 Gravesend & N 1

GRAVESEND & Northfleet kept alive their hopes of clinching the FA Trophy with a draw at Histon in the third round last night.

Andy Ford's side put in one of their poorest performances of the season and were fortunate to take the game to a replay after creating few chances in the 90 minutes. The opening period was a tight affair with the best opportunity falling to the home side's striker Gary Walker, but Fleet goalkeeper Jamie Turner made a good save.

The Ryman League, Premier Division, leaders improved marginally in the second half but still went one goal behind on 69 minutes when Walker slotted into an unguarded net after a poor punch by Turner.

The visitors piled men forward in the closing stages in a desperate attempt to get something out of the game and it paid dividends eight minutes from time when Jimmy Jackson's free-kick squirmed past the Histon goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.

Gravesend, who return to league action this weekend when they play hosts to strugglers Croydon, face Histon in the replay at Stonebridge Road next Tuesday night.

Gravesend: Turner, Lee, Skinner (Barnett 45), Burton, Duku, Smith, McKimm, Lye (Owen 70), Jackson, Wilkins, Hatch (Booth 45).