Two goals in two minutes inside the opening 15 minutes were enough to bring Hendon three valuable Ryman League Premier Division points at LOOT Stadium on Monday night.

Hendon made four changes from Saturday's heartening draw, Gary McCann, Paul Towler, Dominic Gentle and Mavuto Sakala being replaced by Andy Iga (a new signing from Chesham United), Matt Howard, Paul Whitmarsh and Paul Scott respectively. Sakala, Gentle and Jason McKoy were substitutes.

Fast, flowing football was rendered impossible not only by the heavy pitch, but also by a strong, gusting, swirling wind. Nevertheless the two teams did their best to give entertainment with whole-hearted effort which never once caused referee Mr M Ebbage to go to his notebook - a fact he remarked on after the game, praising the attitude of both clubs.

After 12 minutes, out of practically nothing, Hendon took the lead. A crossfield diagonal ball found Marvyn Watson bursting from midfield. Running past Darren Gowler, WATSON spotted Darren Smith a little off his line, so he curled a beautiful 20-yard shot over the keeper's head into the roof of the net.

The goal rattled Gravesend and, 2 minutes later, Jimmy Jackson needlessly fouled Paul Scott. John-Simon White delivered a perfect free-kick right into the path of Jon DALY and his powerful header had too much force for Smith. Although he got both hands to the ball, Smith could do no more than palm it into the net.

For the next 10 minutes, Hendon enjoyed plenty of pressure, but could not add to their lead. After 20 minutes, Paul Scott was denied a strike at goal by a fine block from Dean Forbes.

In defence, Gary Fitzgerald had to be alert to stop Che Stadhart. However, Gravesend failed to trouble Iga unduly, sending over a large number of crosses, all of which were caught by the tall goalkeeper. Warren Kelly was, once again, a rock at the back.

Three minutes after half-time, Smith produced a fine double save to deny Paul Whitmarsh, who had been sent clear by Davis Haule. The Gravesend defence was frequently stretched, but they dealt with everything Hendon threw at them.

Hendon's defence was equally solid. Iga did make one good save from Dave Powell and was also quickly off his line to smother a through ball from Scott Lindsay. The ball however fell to Stadhart whose first time shot at an open goal was blazed over the bar. Gravesend ruined neat approach work with errant passes or crosses. The wind could not be blamed for all of it.

Midway through the second half, Hendon made a double switch of strikers and both Sakala and Gentle had opportunities to add to the Greens' lead. Sakala shooting wide from a good position after 74 minutes.

In the 85th minute, Haule and Sakala combined to set up a great chance and Sakala unselfishly laid the ball into Gentle's path. The Dons' top scorer tried too hard to make sure the ball didn't stick in the mud and he smashed it off the crossbar instead.

The Fleet were now resigned to their fate and they didn't look like getting back into the match. This second consecutive clean sheet is only Hendon's third in the League this season. Manager Murphy was delighted, saying, "We adapted well to the conditions and deserved to win. We had to keep it simple."