GRAVESEND & Northfleet manager Andy Ford insists the team’s poor start to the Conference season isn’t too concerning as the team's performances have been reasonably good.

Fleet went down 1-0 at Halifax on Saturday - their third defeat on the bounce after losses at home to Burton (3-2) and away to Woking (2-1).

Ford said: “It’s not do or die yet. It’s not as if we’ve only got two or three games to go this season. However, it’s important we get a result soon because, the longer it goes on, the harder it will get."

“We are capable of winning our next two matches because we haven’t done too badly so far, in terms of performances.”

Fleet, who play hosts to Telford on Saturday before travelling to Farnborough two days later, are looking for a new target man after being forced to play defender Lee Shearer in attack at the weekend.

Gravesend will be without Francis Duku (thigh) for two weeks, while Steve McKimm (calf), Robin Trott (foot), Ben Abbey (knee) and Ade Pennock (Achilles) are doubtful for the next two games.