Ryan Kirby has been a tower of strength for Aldershot this eventful season.

But it was a rare lapse by the Aldershot skipper that let Gravesend in for the winner at wind-swept Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night.

With the second half barely underway, Kirby mis-kicked on the edge of his area and Craig Wilkins seized his chance, moving in to shoot powerfully past Gareth Howells in the visitors' goal.

Gravesend, who had cancelled out Aldershot's lead just before the interval, never looked like relaxing their grip on the game and completed the double over Aldershot, thus staying hot on the heels of Canvey Island with games in hand.

"I thought we did ourselves justice and played some decent football in very difficult conditions," said Stuart Cash, who tasted defeat for the first time as Aldershot's caretaker manager.

"We beat ourselves in the end because it was two mistakes that led to the goals. But I'm not going to blame Ryan Kirby who has been a great signing for us.

"We are getting better with each game and we've got to learn from results like this – when mistakes cost you."

Although the Kent side's pitch was in excellent condition, it was never going to be a classic in the driving wind and rain.

Aldershot had setbacks before the start, with newcomer Mark Ward getting stranded up north and striker Grant Payne going down with flu.

But they held their own against the title favourites and should have taken a one-goal lead into half-time.

After 38 minutes of a scrappy first half, Lee Protheroe played in one of his searching free-kicks and Owen Coll rose to head home at the far post – his fifth goal of the season.

Aldershot's big support amongst the 1,217 spectators were in good voice after this bonus, but they were silenced two minutes before half-time when Gravesend hit back with a crucial equaliser.

Adam Parker should have cleared his lines, but instead the home team were awarded a corner and, after a frantic goalmouth scramble and with Ollie Adedeji and Howells on the deck, Aaron Barnett prodded the ball over the line.

Parker, Saturday's two-goal hero, had to retire injured at the break, meaning a recall to the first team for Lee Holsgrove.

But soon after the restart it all went wrong for Aldershot as Kirby's error led to Wilkins putting Gravesend in front.

Aldershot's heads never dropped and they pushed forward boldly, although this left gaps for Gravesend to exploit and the dangerous Wilkins missed a sitter.

Holsgrove tested Jamie Turner with a crisp shot, Protheroe and Stafford Browne had good efforts and Jason Chewins had a shot blocked after one of his darting runs.

However, substitute Booth should have wrapped it up for Gravesend as Aldershot went for broke in the closing minutes.

Aldershot: Howells, Parker (Holsgrove 45 mins), Chewins, Kirby, Coll, Adedeji (Gell 89 mins), Graham (Forrester 73 mins), Harford, Browne, Watson, Protheroe.