MANAGER Andy Ford has vowed that Gravesend and Northfleet's pursuit of mid-table respectability in the Conference will continue despite an easing of pressure to avoid the drop.

The Nationwide Conference decision to expand the competition to 24 clubs next season and relegate one club this term has taken the heat out of the relegation issue - though the FA have still to ratify the proposal.

Ford, however, refuses to be distracted from his personal goal of a mid-table finish.

He said: “This decision has still to win FA approval but anyway, so far as I'm concerned, nothing has changed. I want to see this club finish as high as possible.

"I don't want to be anywhere near the bottom three come the end of the season. I've got a single-minded approach about this and I want the players to have the same.

“Kettering, who we play on Saturday, could win all their remaining games and get out of trouble. Nothing can change until the FA says so.”

The vote for change was carried by 13 votes to seven with two abstentions. The Fleet were joined by Forest Green, Halifax, Kettering, Leigh RMI, Morecambe, Southport, Stevenage, Northwich, Nuneaton, Telford and Woking in voting for the change.

Against were Barnet, Chester, Doncaster, Dagenham, Hereford, Scarborough and Yeovil. Burton and Farnborough abstained.