Gravesend & N 3 Dartford 0

SIMON PARKER grabbed a brace as Gravesend & Northfleet began their defence of the BOSE Kent Senior Cup in fine style last night with an impressive quarter-final victory over tenants Dartford at Stonebridge Road.

A bumper crowd of 503 saw Parker strike in each half to keep the Fleet's hopes of winning three trophies alive. Andy Ford's men went ahead when Robert Owen found Darren Smith and he crossed to Parker who beat a defender before firing the ball past Darts' keeper Tony Kessell.

On the half hour mark, they doubled their lead when a cross by Smith ended up flying into the net via the post. Smith was just wide with a 25 yard shot after the break and Warren Williams also went close, before a Parker shot was cleared off the line by Danny Evans.

Substitute Jimmy Jackson thought he had scored on 66 minutes, but his effort was ruled out. It was left to Parker to wrap up the tie when his flicked header from eight yards went just inside the post.

Fleet should have made it four, but Eliot Martin uncharacteristically missed from the penalty spot, shooting straight at Kessell.

Dartford: Kessell, Evans, Marriner, Kevin, Fagin, Parsons, L Morrish, Usherwood, Smith, Jones, A Morrish. Subs: Morgan, Spriggs, Arnold, Adlington, Williams.

Gravesend: Blake, Coyle, Martin, McKimm, Barnett, Burton, Owen, Smith, Wilkins, Parker, Williams. Subs: Booth, Duku, Jackson, Lyle, Turner.