Thurrock allowed the lead to slip away twice against ten men in an uninspiring start to the new season. They started well, however, and were unlucky not to take the lead as early as the 3^rd minute when Lee Hodges shot just over the bar from 25 yards with the keeper stranded on the edge of the box. The pressure continued to be applied and Kandol was unlucky to shoot wide when put through by Kirby.
 


Another chance came TK’s way in the 16^th minute, but an outstretched leg turned the ball behind for a corner. Thurrock smelt blood and went all out in an attempt to take the lead. A clever short free kick from Collis led to Hodges having another 25 yard effort. This time it flashed just wide with the keeper beaten. On the half hour a hopeful long ball found TK 30 yards from goal. With the keeper onrushing, TK nodded past him only to be clattered by the keeper. A booking was given when TK had a great chance to give Thurrock the lead. Just when it looked like Thurrock were going to have all the play, Carshalton broke up the pitch and only an excellent block from Purdie on the line stopped a goal. The last action of the half saw a superb raking pass from Collis pick out Hodges who beat two and shot just wide.

The second half started as the first had gone. The Thurrock pressure finally told on 50 when Hodges was brought down in the box. TK’s penalty was the complete opposite of his penalty against Dunstable as he drilled the ball hard, giving the goalie no chance. Five minutes later it looked as if TK was about to score a second when he was brought down 25 yards from goal. The ref had no option but to send the Robins centre half off. Dave Collis hit the bar from the resulting free kick. The rebound led to a breakaway for Carshalton and Cooper spun Purdie and lobbed past Gothard for 1-1.

          The next ten minutes passed by without incident and halfway through the half Thurrock started to pressure again. A long range piledriver from Collis was well held. On 70 Thurrock scored a highly controversial second. A hopeful ball was lobbed into the box. There appeared to be no danger, but Cliff Akurang nipped in and handled the ball past the keeper and tap into the open goal. It seemed that the only people in the ground who failed to see it were the officials and there was much protesting from the Carshalton team.

          With ten minutes left Kris Lee replaced the tiring Dwayne Plummer and was unlucky not to score when the keeper misjudged a high ball, which bounced over his head. Lee couldn’t quite reach the ball in time. A Heffer shot was well held and it looked like the three points were going Fleet’s way. However, with two minutes left Collis failed to deal with a cross into the box and Marvel stole in to grab a point.

 Man of the Match: Steve Heffer

 Thurrock: Gothard, Collis, Davidson, McFarlane, Purdie, Kirby, Heffer, Plummer (Lee 80), Hodges, Akurang, Kandol.