Farnborough 1 Gravesend & N 1

SHOULD Gravesend & Northfleet suffer relegation after one season back in the Nationwide Conference, they will forever blame referee Ray Lee's time-keeping.

In the astonishing seven and a half minutes, Mr Lee added on for stoppages at the end of Monday's match, Ken Charlery equalised to wrench two precious points from the Fleet's grasp.

By a supreme irony, manager Andy Ford had made an unsuccessful attempt to sign former Maidstone United Charlery from Farnborough earlier in the season.

When the final whistle eventually sounded at 4.55, the Fleet and their supporters were left devastated and contemplating a make or break final match of the season at home to Halifax at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Last season the Fleet clinched promotion to the Conference as Ryman League champions at Bedford on the final day. Now they find themselves facing the drop on this term's final day.

Liam Hatch's sixth goal of the season in the 72nd minute looked good enough to give the Fleet maximum points.

Simon Parker broke down the right and his cross was headed home by Hatch.

Nick Burton had earlier wasted a good chance for the Fleet when he shot over when well positioned while Rocky Baptiste went close at the other end.

As tension increased in the closing stages, Justin Skinner made a magnificent goalline clearance to preserve the Fleet's precious lead before Charlery broke all Fleet hearts when he scored from Tony Taggart's corner.

Gravesend: Wilkerson; Burton, Pennock, Duku, Skinner; Kwashi, McKimm, Strouts, Jackson; Bridge, Hatch. Substitutes: Wilkins, Parker, Owen.

Attendance: 1,015.