Fleet extended their current losing run to seven matches on Saturday, missing out narrowly to an in-form Salisbury City side to remain anchored near the bottom of the Eastern Division table.
But compared to recent games, this was a much improved performance by Mick Catlin’s side, against a team that has now won its last seven league matches.
Even after being reduced to ten men, Fleet dominated proceedings for most of the second-half and deserved at least a point from a very strong showing. On this form Fleet should soon be back to winning ways.
With leading scorer, Shaun Hale back in the side and new-signing, Brian Wood in the starting line-up, Fleet were almost at full-strength. Although Catlin was forced to rest striker, Craig Leworthy who was recovering from influenza.
22 year-old Wood was making his first appearance for his new club, after signing from Wessex Leaguers, AFC Newbury in midweek, where he had been scoring lots of goals from his position in mid-field.
The home side started brightly and despite the wet, slippery conditions kept Fleet on the back foot for the first 10 minutes. Salisbury opened the scoring soon after when striker Adam Wallace headed in unchallenged, from a corner.
Fleet responded well and soaked up further Salisbury pressure to prevent any further scoring up to the interval.
After the break Fleet enjoyed greater possession and were soon creating chances to get back in the game. Striker Eddie Smith went close early on and there was also a chance to new-man, Wood.
Disaster then struck for Fleet in the 59th minute when skipper Craig Anstey was ordered from the pitch, after retaliating to a bad tackle from Salisbury’s Wayne Turk. Salisbury striker Matt Tubbs then picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, which brought both sides down to ten men.
With 20 minutes to go Catlin brought on Leworthy and mid-fielder, Steve Black. This change immediately created fresh options for the Fleet side, which now pressed hard for the equaliser. Leworthy in particular, provided a fresh threat to the Salisbury defence, which only just managed to keep the young striker out of scoring range on several occasions.
For the final 15 minutes Fleet were completely on top. Wingman Hale went close after one great attack down the left. Striker Steve Whitcher then saw his shot go inches over the bar. But the best chance fell to sub, Ed Hare, whose header missed the target from only a few yards out after a great cross from Hale.
Fleet Town: Sparshatt, Buckland, (sub, Hare, 45 mins), Blakely, Clark, (Black, 70), Jeffery, Saunders, Wood, Anstey, Whitcher, Smith, (Leworthy, 70), Hale. Subs (not used): Proctor, Millerick.
Attendance 519.