A fine exhibition of goalkeeping by Fleet's Calvin Sparshatt was enough for his side to salvage a point from this tough league contest at bottom side, Chatham. The ex-Havant keeper brought off a string of high quality saves in both halves to extend his side's current unbeaten run to six games, and move Fleet another place up the Eastern Division table.
After impressing home supporters in midweek with a fine win against Hastings, the Fleet side found their recent form deserting them as they found it hard going against a side that had lost six and drawn only one of its seven home games so far this season.
Fleet's starting line-up was bolstered before the off by the return of leading scorer, Shaun Hale, but manager Mick Catlin was missing influential striker, Shea Saunders and was forced to rest mid-fielder, Jamie Proctor, who spent the afternoon on the bench.
The opening 30 minutes were fairly even. The home side created the better of the early chances, and should have scored in the 24th minute but striker, Frannie Collin headed over the bar when in a great position.
At the other end a powerful strike by 18 year-old Craig Leworthy just missed the target, after a great run by Hale. This was one of the few opportunites created by Catlin's side as both Leworthy and strike partner, Steve Witcher became hemmed in by the sharp Chatham defence.
As the game went on, the home side gradually took control, and created further scoring opportunities but were kept out by some great blocks by Sparshatt.
After the interval, the Chatham side looked increasingly likely to score, with Fleet only managing occasional forays into the Chatham half.
The home side's best chance came on 73 minutes when Chatham wingman Gary Tilley went clear through on goal after a mistake in the Fleet defence. But the advancing Sparshatt did just enough to unsettle Tilley who lost control of the shot, when looking almost certain to score.
With less than a minute remaining Fleet were reduced to ten men when defender, Ian Saunders was dismissed from the field following an altercation with the referee. Fleet though held on gamely for what might prove a vital away point come the end of the season.
FLEET TOWN: Sparshatt, Buckland, Millerick, Hare, Jeffrey, Ian Saunders, Black, Anstey, Whitcher, Leworthy, Hale. Subs not used: Blakeley, May, Bax, Proctor, Catlin.