United's proud unbeaten record went east today as Gravesend and Northfleet became the first team to defeat them in the Conference this season. A single goal from Onome Sodje  in the second half did the damage as The U's were outgunned by The Fleet.

United made two changes to the team that lost against Wycombe last week. Andy Burgess returned from suspension and replaced the injured Eddie Hutchinson in midfield whilst new loan signing Jamie Slabber started in attack alongside Steve Basham.

Before the changes had any time to take effect, the home side should have taken the lead. Early pressure produced two corners, United did well to clear the danger from the first one, but from the second, Ross Smith found himself unmarked six yards out, but Billy Turley produced a wonderful point blank save to deny Smith.

The chance seemed to fire up the home side and Onome Sodje went close in the 7^th minute and then, not content with trying to open the scoring for Gravesend, he then turned provider when he released top scorer Charlie Macdonald a minute later, but with only Turley to beat he saw his shot trickle just wide of the post.

It was a huge let-off for United, and at this early stage of the match, they were struggling to get any meaningful possession of the ball and the home side seemed to be winning the majority of the second balls.

As we passed the half-hour, it was still the home side that were in control of the game and Smith missed another glorious chance when he again found space from a corner, but powered his header over from five yards.

United were still struggling, but with the players that United have in the team, they always have a goal in them.It almost came in the 34^th minute when Burgess produced the first piece of quality when he played in a great centre that Peter Hawkins deflected just wide of the post, but that was an isolated effort as the home side were still looking the more likely team to score.

It almost came in the 43^rd minute when Stacy Long ended a forty yard run with a delicate twenty-five yard chip that just cleared Turley's crossbar and then in injury time Turley produced another fantastic save to deny Macdonald, but United just managed to keep the home side out and you did get the feeling that Jim Smith would not be holding back at half-time.

Whatever was said seemed to strike home as United began the second half in much more lively fashion. Quinn's acrobatic volley was going in until it struck a defender, and then Slabber showed good touch to trick his way past a defender but couldn't quite get his shot away.

For the first time The U's were starting to play with their usual swagger, but were finding The Fleet tough opponents. It was a real slog in midfield where Pettefer and the home side's Danny Slatter were having a great battle, but on the hour Smith tried to stretch the game by bringing on Yemi Odubade and giving the home defence that extra bit of pace to contend with.

However, it was the pace of Onome Sodje that was the decisive factor at the other end as The Fleet took the lead. It came from a swift break down their left flank which should have been closed off. Instead the ball was allowed to travel into the box where Sodje was alert and quick to get in among Turley and Rufus Brevett as they tried to smother the chance. The ball eluded them both and Sodje gleefully slammed the ball into the empty net.

It was no more than Gravesend deserved having created the best chances all afternoon, but all season long they have been able to find an extra gear when required and it produced an enthralling last fifteen minutes as The U's tried to preserve the last unbeaten record in the top seven leagues.

It was tense, but Gravesend were determined not to throw away that hard earned scalp and it was real cup tie stuff, sadly with the same result as last week.

No major damage done, United stay top of the table, but a big game at home to Tamworth next week now...

Report Julian Hitchman and Chris Williams. Pictures Darrell Fisher