Weakened Accrington Stanley secured a point at Stonebridge Road and for that they need to thank Jon Kennedy.
The Stanley keeper guessed correctly to keep out Ben Abbey's penalty-kick, awarded after Steve Halford had hauled down Ben Walshe in the 72nd minute.
Halford earned a second yellow card, but the challenge seemed to inspire the visitors who raised their game and might have clinched it two minutes from time.
The first quarter of an hour was fairly even. Lutel James, playing as a lone striker in the absence of partner Paul Mullin, had two chances to open the scoring. Paul Wilkerson tipped the first effort around the post but the second went wide.
Fleet, buoyant from their FA Cup success over Exeter City in midweek began to make their presence felt. Kennedy saved firstly from Steve McKimm and then Walshe.
But the best chance of the half fell to Gravesend. Walshe turned the ball back from the by-line only for Abbey's outstretched boot to divert the ball the wrong side of the post.
Howarth and Abbey toiled throughout the half with little reward for the home side, while James often looked an isolated figure up front.
The second half bore little resemblance to the first. The game fractured into minor personal skirmishes, punctuated by numerous free-kicks.
Halford's name was first entered into the referee's notebook on the hour for a foul, joining team-mate John Durnin. Then Rob Haworth's name was added to the list along with McKimm, the latter getting involved unnecessarily in a pushing match with almost the whole of the Accrington team.
The pivotal point of the game came on 73 minutes. Rob Owen's cross from the right picked out Walshe, only for the Fleet midfielder to be hauled to the ground by Halford. And the Stanley defender was heading for the dressing room.
The resulting spot-kick was hit in tired fashion by Abbey, but credit to Kennedy, who not only saved the spot-kick but held it as well.
Rejuvenated, the Lancashire side pressed forward and could have gone home with all three points, but Rory Prendergast's cross was headed straight at Wilkerson by James in the closing moments.
Stanley manager John Coleman said afterwards: "We had two players suspended today, Justin Jackson was out with flu and we certainly missed Mullin.
"Even so if we had been at home today I think we would have won. We need more belief on our travels." Fleet manager Andy Ford said: "With two players out ill today, it was impossible to provide some fresh legs. We were probably a little sluggish after Tuesday night's efforts."