Stevenage Borough 1 Gravesend & N 0

GRAVESEND & Northfleet striker Liam Hatch could be subjected to the club’s internal code of discipline after being sent off for dissent as the Fleet were in sight of a hard-earned point at Broadhall Way on Monday.

Hatch became the second Fleet player to be ordered off this season after on-loan defender Paul Sturgess was dismissed on the opening day against Yeovil.

The Fleet had already been hit by the loss of defender Aaron Barnett through injury in the first minute when he was replaced by Lew Watts.

The match was goalless when Hatch saw red and manager Andy Ford's mood was not helped when Jean Sigere scored the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute.

Fleet assistant manager Phil Handford said afterwards: “Had Liam been sent-off for two tackles then I don't think we would have had much of a problem but two dissents is pretty bad and we're all bitterly disappointed with the outcome.

“I know Liam is young but you have to question his common sense. But I'll let Andy sort it out.”

All was in stark contrast to Saturday's 3-0 home win over Hereford - the Fleet’s first since their return to the Conference.

Nick Burton was the Fleet’s hero with goals in the 23rd and 38th minutes. Youngster Tostao Kwashi added a third in the 82nd minute.

“I don't know whether the players had nothing left after a superb performance against Hereford but we gave a below-par performance against Stevenage,” Handford added.