Gravesend & N 0 Purfleet 0

GRAVESEND & Northfleet saw the Ryman League, Premier Division championship odds swing back in favour of leaders Canvey on a frustrating afternoon yesterday at Stonebridge Road.

Saturday's win at Harrow coupled with Canvey's shock defeat at Hitchin had handed the initiative back to the Fleet over the weekend. But with Canvey beating Billericay 3-0 yesterday morning and the Fleet managing only a draw, the Islanders consolidated their position.

"It's still in our own hands," manager Andy Ford insisted afterwards. "If we can win all of our remaining games we can win the league.

"What will be will be, we're doing everything we can to win the league. Though we're trying to eliminate tension in the side, I felt a bit crept in towards the end of the game."

He added: "We've been unable to score against Purfleet in two games now which shows just how good they are defensively. I knew this would be a tough game because they are very much an in-form side."

Purfleet, who had won all of their previous seven games, made known from the start their intentions of coming for a point by defending in depth. Their supporters had to wait until the 35th minute for their first attempt on goal when Jamie Turner saved low from former Gillingham striker Steve Brown.

Despite a crowd of 1,085 mainly Gravesend supporters, the crowd only found their voices on the hour when the Fleet put together a period of sustained pressure which saw Purfleet goalkeeper Alex O'Reilly spectacularly tip over Che Stadhart's close range attempt.

But with neither Stadhart or fellow striker Simon Parker able to conjure that touch of magic needed to unhinge Purfleet's defence, the Fleet were seldom convincing up front.

Gravesend: Turner; Lee, Duku, Burton, Skinner; Smith (Booth 85 mins), Owen, McKimm, Jackson; Parker (Hatch 73 mins), Stadhardt. Substitute not used: Barnett.

Darren Smith opened the scoring in the 22nd minute at Harrow on Saturday with Stadhart making it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Jimmy Jackson had been tripped in the 42nd. Stadhart rounded off the scoring in the 63rd.