Gravesend 1 - 2 Charlton X1

LLOYD SAM converted an 86th minute penalty to earn a Charlton X1 a 2-1 win in Monday's friendly that celebrated 100 years of football at Gravesend's Stonebridge Road ground.

Sam took his chance from the spot after Fleet goalkeeper Craig Holloway had brought down Alistair John.

Up until then the Fleet had looked capable of holding Charlton who included first team squad members Shaun Bartlett and Radostin Kishishev who were testing their fitness ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League curtain raiser at Sunderland.

Watched by a crowd of 1,070 that included Charlton manager Alan Curbishley, assistant Keith Peacock and coach Mervyn Day, the Fleet fell behind in the 16th minute when Ross Smith suffered the misfortune of turning John's cross into his own goal on his home debut.

The Fleet upped the tempo in the second half when they produced a much improved performance with Charlie MacDonald equalising against his old club in the 49th minute.

Charlton goalkeeper Rob Elliott produced outstanding saves from former Addick Kim Grant and Lee Protheroe while Grant was out of luck with a shot that struck the inside of a post.

Fleet manager Liam Daish confirmed afterwards that he was in the market for two strikers before Saturday's opening Nationwide Conference home game against Exeter.