Fleet Town came up against an in-form Bromley side on Tuesday, and despite defending well, came away pointless.
This was always going to be a tough trip for Paul Holden's men, after the Kent side dispatched third place Horsham 4-0 last weekend, at Horsham.
Holden had to make some changes to his line-up after striker, Lee Paul was sidelined through suspension. The boss opted for just one striker, and brought in skipper Andy Darnton and Neil Morant for Paul, and wingback, Steve Humphries - the only changes from the side that won at home on Saturday against Hastings Utd.
The tactics worked for Fleet, as for the first 20 minutes they were on the backfoot against an impressive Bromley side, whose frontmen looked especially dangerous.
Despite the pressure and some scrambled clearances, Fleet clung on all the way to the break to go in all-square at 0-0. One shot at goal on the half-hour by striker, Josh Francois was Fleet's only chance during the first period.
Bromley continued to pile on the pressure after the break, and took the lead on 50 minutes, a cross from the left picking out the head of new signing, Julian Curnot, who nodded into the top corner.
Fifteen minutes later disaster struck for Fleet, when defender, Neil Morant brought down striker, Adolph Amoako, after the striker was clear through on goal. Morant was ordered off the pitch and Fleet were down to 10 men.
Five minutes later, Holden gambled and brought on two fresh strikers, Ed Smith and Richard Mealey for the final 20 minutes of the game.
For the next 10 minutes, Fleet continued to take the game to their opponents, and tried to force their way back into the game. But with 3 minutes remaining, the man-advantage worked eventually proved costly, as Amoako went again clear of the defence and finished well to increase his side's lead at this crucial stage of the game.
Up to this point a string of fine saves by Fleet keeper, Justin Gray had kept his side in the game, only for the hard work to be undone by the pace and finishing of Amoako.
