Gary Hart last night emerged unscathed from his second comeback match in three days.

Hart, who broke his leg in the final away match of last season at Peterborough, played for 61 minutes in Albion's 1-1 draw at Gravesend.

He looked back to his best despite his 14-week lay-off and the quick-thinking forward was a constant menace to the Conference side's rearguard.

The 26-year-old was only meant to play for the first half but he pleaded with Bob Booker to keep him on.

Booker, in charge while Martin Hinshelwood scouted another player, was delighted to see Hart play with such enthusiasm and competitiveness.

He said: "Gary is a fantastic pro and it is the biggest bonus of the night for us that he has come through the match."

Hart was involved in the first half hour of Monday's win at Bognor but spent twice as long on the pitch in Kent.

He said: "I felt good and I said to Bob if it was okay that I could stay on after the break.

"I had a few aches after Monday but the physio Malcolm Stuart has taken care of them. They are easing me back into it."

Hart was unfortunate not to score against Gravesend when he was denied by their goalkeeper Jamie Turner.

He added: "I went through one-on-one and I was waiting for a call to tell me to take my time but I didn't hear it so I snatched at it.

"I'd have liked to have scored but it is just nice to be back playing at the moment.

"I thought we played well and we had a lot of young players so it is a good workout for them."

Hart hopes to be involved in Saturday's trip to Leyton Orient.

"I am two games behind the rest of the players but I feel alright in myself.

"It is down to the gaffer about how he feels about my fitness levels."

Among the spectators last night was Croatian central defender Marijan Kovacevic, who will be training with Albion this week with a view to a permanent move.

The 28-year-old former Aris Thessaloniki player is available on a free transfer and has played for Hamburger SV in the German top flight in the past.

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