Accrington Stanley 1 - 1 Gravesend & Northfleet

SUBSTITUTE Onome Sodje outwitted goalkeeper and Charlton clubmate Darren Randolph to give Gravesend a deserved point in Saturday’s reunion at Accrington.

The pair, who are both on loan from The Valley, went eyeball to eyeball in the 66th minute when 17-year-old Sodje was sent clear by Jay Saunders.

Randolph advanced too far as Sodje outwitted Robbie Williams before stroking the ball into an empty net for the equaliser.

Sodje, whose season-long loan was marred by an early dismissal, looked in the mood to make amends as he set up Ben Surey who shot wide when well positioned.

Until Sodje’s dramatic intervention the Fleet had trailed to Ian Craney’s 25-yard drive in the 17th minute as Stanley set about laying their Gravesend bogey which has seen them fail to beat the visitors in five attempts.

Sodje took his chance following a 23rd minute injury to midfielder Jimmy Jackson who hobbled off with an ankle injury.

Though Accrington had plenty of early chances, the Fleet carved out the better ones once Sodje picked up the pace of the game.

Despite watching his side become the first to draw at Livingston Road this season, Fleet manager Liam Daish was not entirely happy.

He explained: "I know people will look at the result and think it was a good point. But we shaded it on chances created and were good enough to win.

"In fact I look on it as two points dropped. But I was more than pleased for Onome whose energy gave us a boost when we needed it."

Gravesend: Holloway; Protheroe, Smith, McCarthy, Skinner; Slatter, Bowry, Saunders, Jackson (Sodje 23) Grant, Drury (Surey 38).
Subs Not Used: Kerr, Omoyinmi, Gooding.
Attendance: 1,206.