Gravesend & N 4 Bedford Town 1

GRAVESEND & Northfleet maintained their promotion push with a comfortable victory over Bedford Town in the Ryman League Premier Division at Stonebridge Road. The Fleet got off to the best possible start and put the result beyond doubt with three goals in the opening half an hour of the game.

Jimmy Jackson, who was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up after injuring his shin the previous weekend, opened the scoring after seven minutes with a deflected free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.

Gravesend had a couple of good chances before they doubled their advantage on 18 minutes when Craig Wilkins slotted home at the far post after an excellent run and cross from Paul Booth.

Wilkins smashed a volley over the top of the cross bar before bagging his second goal of the afternoon on the half hour mark when he reacted quickest to a poor clearance.

Mark Paul did pull one goal back for the visitors just before the break but the home team controlled the second half and added a fourth strike in stoppage time when Darren Smith made no mistake with a low drive from 20 yards.

Gravesend & Northfleet: Turner, Burton (Lee 89), Martin, McKimm (Lye 74), Barnett, Duku, Smith, Owen, Jackson, Wilkins, Booth (Hatch 74). Unused Sub: Lee.

Attendance: 656