Thurrock showed good character to come from behind to take all three points against fellow play off contenders Basingstoke. Three points were desperately needed after the home defeat to relegation threatened Sutton.

Fleet got off to the worst possible start when confusion in their defence left Jason Bristow a simple header at the far post after a deep cross, Bristow made Fleet pay with a calm finish. Fleet showed great character and got the equaliser within two minutes. Good work from the hard working Kris Lee left Glenn Poole with the chance to grab his third goal in only his fourth game and Pooley calmly slotted home. Stoke were at six and sevens defensively after the goal and only a missed header from six yards out from Kris Lee after a Lee Hodges cross saved them from going behind.

          Thurrock took the lead with the next clear-cut chance, Kris Lee broke the offside trap and headed for the by-line. Glenn Poole was in acres of space at the far post but Lee cleverly cut back to debutant Adam Parker and the former St. Albans man slotted home from six yards out.

          Thurrock started the second half far livelier than their opponents and doubled their advantage after 55 minutes. Ryan Kirby’s through ball seemed to be being shepherded back to the keeper until Parker appeared to bundle the defender over. The whistle wasn’t blown and Parker lobbed Scott Tarr for his second of the game. With twenty minutes on the clock Kris Lee was unlucky again. He turned his defender and shot low, only for Tarr to tip past the post, the referee, however gave a goal kick. Fleet held on for a comfortable three points to set up the Christmas period. 

Man of the Match: Adam Parker 

Thurrock: McMahon, Collis, Goodfellow, Goddard, McFarlane©, Poole (Broom 89), Hodges, D Lee (Manuel 80), Kirby, Parker (Thompson 80), K Lee