Missed chances cost Fleet the opportunity of pegging back league leaders, Tonbridge on Saturday. In the end a late goal by substitute, Toby Bax set up a thrilling finale, which could have given Mick Catlin's men a deserved point.
But Fleet's much-improved performance will have done a lot to re-build confidence after a trio of recent league defeats.
With the postponement of tonight's County Cup third round match at Basingstoke Town, Catlin now has a week to prepare his side for the visit of high-flyers, Histon, to Calthorpe Park on Saturday. The Cambridgeshire side has been impressing in recent weeks, demolishing Eastleigh in the FA Trophy on Saturday and only narrowly going out of the FA Cup at Woking last month.
Catlin was disappointed with Saturday's result, but pleased with his side's overall performance.
"Both of their goals were fortunate, one from a defensive mistake, the other a long-range effort you can't really defend against. Had we taken our chances in the first half, the scoreline would have been very different. Second half we were the better side," Catlin said.
For Saturday's game Catlin was without skipper, Craig Anstey, who was starting a two-match suspension. Also absent was injured striker, Shea Saunders and influential defender, Ian Saunders, who was missing his second match through suspension.
Despite the absentees, Fleet started brightly and for the first 25 minutes were keeping the lively Tonbridge strikers in check. At the back, keeper Calvin Sparshatt was in determined mood, bringing off a number of great saves.
Disaster struck for Fleet in the 27th minute, when from a throw-in a mistake let in Angels' Luke Piscina, who gave Sparshatt no chance with a powerful strike into the corner from close range.
Immediately from the re-start a Fleet attack down the right gave striker, Craig Leworthy time to put in an inch-perfect cross to danger-man, Shaun Hale, who just failed to score with a powerful header.
Tonbridge extended their lead 10 minutes later when mid-fielder, Sam Tydeman found the top corner of the net with a 25 yard speculative strike, which again gave Sparshatt no chance.
Despite the scoreline, Fleet continued to press with mid-fielder, Steve Black linking well with Leworthy down the right, ably supported by wing-back, Ben Buckland.
Then in the 45th minute, a cross from Buckland picked out an unmarked, Ed Hare, whose header was only inches away from bringing Fleet back into the game.
After the break, Fleet continued to raise their game, without being able to threaten the Tonbridge goal.
With 20 minutes to go Catlin then brought on sub striker Ed Smith to join Leworthy and Steve Whitcher up front. The extra front-man seemed to work for Fleet and with five minutes to go, sub Toby Bax headed in over a stranded and surprised Jamie Turner in the Tonbridge goal.
For the last five minutes it was all Fleet as Catlin's men went all out for the deserved equaliser. But the Angels side managed to cling on to their slender advantage and extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Division table.
FLEET TOWN: Sparshatt, Buckland, Millerick, Clark (sub Garrett, 77 mins), Jeffrey, Proctor, Black (Bax, 77), Hare (Smith, 70), Whitcher, Leworthy, Hale. Subs (not used): Blakely, May.