Stevenage 2 v 0 Fleet

Nationwide Conference

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FLEET boss Liam Daish called his team's defending "dozy" after watching his side fall to two first-half goals.

While the season is over in terms of the play-offs there is still an outside chance Fleet could finish 12th or higher and qualify for next season's LDV Vans Trophy.

However, the defeat at Stevenage leaves Daish's men in 13th spot with the teams above them having games in hand.

Daish said: "Our strength lately has been our defence but in the first half we were a little bit dozy.

"We had players carrying knocks but two lapses have undone us.

"The ball was in the air a long time for the first goal and there wasn't anything clever about it.

"Then we just stood still for the second. We were better in the second half but we were 2-0 down by then."

With Charlie McDonald joined on the injured list by Jimmy Jackson, Daish brought in Bobby Bowry and Bradley Johnson. New signing Peter Hawkins was on the bench.

However, Fleet were outclassed in the first half as Stevenage looked to cement their spot in the play-offs.

After a drab 35 minutes the hosts took the lead with the first shot on target.

George Boyd's cross was nodded into Jon Nurse's path and the striker stabbed the ball past Craig Holloway.

Nurse turned provider for the second goal, setting up Darryn Stamp for his fourth goal in as many games.

The second half was better for Fleet but in truth Stevenage did not look like conceding and should have extended their lead.

Substitute striker Eric Obinna was guilty of missing a golden opportunity having rounded Holloway but missed from two yards with the goal at his mercy.

Fleet's James Smith shed blood for the cause after being kicked in the face by Stevenage's Barry Laker.

After lengthy treatment for a nasty eye injury he returned to the fray wrapped in bandages and then went close with a header.

Hawkins made his debut as a half-time substitute but could not inspire any sort of comeback.

This weekend Fleet host Aldershot a team also fighting hard for a LDV Vans spot.

MATCH FACTS: FLEET: Holloway; Gooding; Watkins; Graham-Smith; McCarthy (Hawkins, 45); Saunders; Bowry; Slatter (L Moore, 45); Johnson; Rawle; J Smith.

SUBS NOT USED: Kerr; McKimm.

ATT: 1,873.