A second-half strike by wingman and leading scorer, Shaun Hale was enough for Fleet to grab all three points from this crucial league clash at Rothwell Town.
Hale's strike in the 60th minute, his sixth in league matches so far this season, lifts the talented wingman into equal second place in current Eastern Division top scorer list and moves his side several places up the Eastern Division table.
Coming on the back of several cup disappointments, the win also provides a great confidence booster to Mick Catlin's side ahead of tonight's crucial league clash against Salisbury City at Calthorpe Park.
On this performance Fleet will be looking to build on their current three-match unbeaten league run and continue their progress up the table.
Like Fleet, Saturday's opponents, Rothwell had made a poor start to the season, losing their first three games. And with only four goals scored so far this season, it was clear from the off that Catlin's men would be gunning for all three points.
Fleet made a solid start and created their first chance on 19 minutes, when an uncleared corner fell at the feet of wing-back, Ben Buckland. But with Rothwell keeper, John Hughes grounded, the youngster's rushed strike flew over the crossbar.
At the other end the Fleet defence were also struggling to clear corners,and from one, a deflection hit several players before hitting the crossbar and rebounding safely for Fleet.
On 30 minutes, wingman Hale got his first chance to run at the Rothwell defence down the left side. Rounding two defenders his shot was pushed on to the post by a diving Hughes. A few minutes later the home side had their best chance to take the lead, but striker Liam Morris shot wide when in a good position.
Fleet came out strongly after the break and was again putting the Rothwell defence under pressure, striker Shea Saunders causing all sorts of problems with some fine aggressive running at the defence.
Eventually the Fleet pressure took its toll on the beleaguered
Rothwell defence and in the 60th minute the visitors went ahead. A good passing
move down the right side left skipper, Craig Anstey with time to put in a fast
accurate cross which picked out Hale on the left. The wingman drove the ball
across the goal into the far corner to take his side ahead.
The Rothwell side then pressed hard to get back on terms but Fleet's defence
kept up their high work rate to deny the home side any good scoring
opportunities.
Fleet went close to extending their lead on several occasions, Saunders managing to get the ball in the net late on, only to be denied by the linesman's flag.
FLEET TOWN: May, Buckland, Blakely, Hare, Ian Saunders, Jeffrey, Proctor, (sub, Black, 70 mins), Anstey, Shea Saunders, Frampton, (Smith, 86), Hale. Sub not used: Tiller.