Gravesend & Northfleet missed the chance to close on Canvey Island at the top of the Ryman Premier League after losing at Purfleet on Monday night.

The 2-0 defeat means Canvey lead the table by three points, but the Fleet still have two games in hand.

Fleet's 3-2 home win over Maidenhead during last midweek when two goals from Steve McKimm and one from Liam Hatch, coupled with a 1-0 win over Billericay on Saturday enabled Fleet to keep the pressure on Canvey Island.

For a while, the strong wind threatened to blow Fleet's title challenge off course against a determined Billericay side, and Andy Ford's men had to show lots of patience with chances being at a premium in the first 25 minutes.

But Craig Wilkins galvanised the Fleet when his powerful run set up a chance for Simon Parker, but he was crowded out by two Bllericay defenders.

It was Wilkins who was causing most of the problems to the visitors and eight minutes before the break he manoeuvred himself into a good position, only for Tim Cole to intercept the left-wing cross as it was about to reach the Fleet striker.

Wilkins then headed wide but it was Billericay who went close to taking the lead in the closing seconds of the first half, when Joe Baker rapped a shot against the post.

Five minutes after the break Fleet took the lead when Rob Owen thumped the ball into the Billericay box, Jackson touched it on but Chris Moore should have cleared the ball. However, he failed to do so and Wilkins latched onto the loose ball and drove it powerfully beyond Jerome John for the goal his all-round display deserved.

The Fleet started to dominate and the introduction of Hatch for Parker gave them added impetus in the search for a second goal.

Aaron Barnett left his defensive duties to head just wide after 71 minutes and then John saved from Hatch.

Fleet's joy at winning was increased with the news that Canvey had only drawn at home to lowly Bedford.

Ford, speaking after the Billericay match, said: "It wasn't a very good game, more of a scrap, but we got the win.

"We're looking at one game at a time, as there are lots more twists and turns to come.

"At half-time I told the lads to be patient and make sure they concentrate at the back and not make any silly mistakes."