Gravesend & N 1 Halifax 0

A GOAL from Gravesend and Northfleet's Louie Evans was enough to earn Fleet all three Nationwide Conference points against Halifax on Saturday.

Evans, who has been on loan at Bedford this season, scored on his first start of the campaign to give Fleet a 10th-minute lead they never surrendered.

The visitors’ efforts to draw level were dealt a huge blow in the 20th minute when striker Johnny Allan was dismissed for pushing Ben Walshe in the face.

But despite the numerical advantage, Fleet failed to build on their one-goal lead and the result remained in doubt until the final whistle.

Afterwards manager Andy Ford said he was satisfied with the win, despite his team’s failure to bury the game. He said: “We should have done better in the second-half, especially against 10 men. But sometimes it can work against you when the other team have a player sent off.

“If I had been offered a clean sheet and three points before the game I would have taken it, so I can’t complain.”

He added: “I’m pleased for Louie Evans. He was given a chance to start because of Ben Abbey’s injury and he took that chance.”

Evans’ strike came after a deep cross by Lee Protheroe was headed back across goal by Rob Haworth.

Allan then squandered an opportunity to equalise for Halifax by shooting straight at goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson. It was his last real contribution before he earned himself a red card.

Fleet dominated the rest of the first-half and Evans and Haworth came close to extending the lead. But it remained 1-0 at the break and in the second period the visitors began to threaten an equaliser.

Mark Monnington had a header well saved by Wilkerson and substitute Jack Sagare should have scored on the rebound - but Lee Shearer got in the way and the ball was cleared to safety.

Haworth headed the ball home late on, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Halifax substitute Andy Farrell wasted his side’s best chance when - obviously inspired by his rugby league goalkicking namesake - he blasted the ball over the bar rather than below it.