But it could have been worse for Paul Tisdale's Exeter City side as substitute Onome Sodje wasted a glorious opportunity to steal the win in injury time as he saw his shot brilliantly saved by Martin Rice.
The game started at a frenetic pace, with Gravesend showing early promise through the in-form Mark De Bolla and Charlie MacDonald. Luke Moore picked up the game's first booking when he needlessly stood in the way of an Exeter free-kick after eight minutes, but the visitors managed to ride the early period of pressure relatively comfortably.
Good work by Lee Phillips won the Grecians' first corner kick of the game after quarter of an hour, but poor delivery from Billy Jones summed up a scrappy opening period for both sides.
Four minutes later, Jones made amends when his left-foot in-swinging corner was met by centre back Rob Edwards, who directed a firm header into the corner of the past Lance Cronin.
The goal seemed to boost Paul Tisdale's side, who had not scored since beating Cambridge United 3-1 last month, and the front pairing of Jamie Mackie and Lee Phillips were causing the home side's three-man defence real problems.
After 34 minutes, Jon Challinor should have doubled the lead when he was picked out by Billy Jones but the winger could only send in a tame shot that didn't trouble the goal.
Five minutes later, an excellent swinging cross from Grecians right winger Andy Taylor led to confusion among the home defence and the ball was turned into his own net by James Smith, although stadium announcer credited Lee Phillips with the final touch.
Gravesend battled hard to get back into the game and won their first corner after 45 minutes. Ross Smith rose to meet it, but his header was easily saved by Martin Rice in the Exeter goal.
Fleet manager Liam Diash threw on Onome Sodje and Danny Slatter at half-time as the home team looked to find a way back into the game. The former had an immediate impact as his cross created confusion in the Grecians' box, but DeBolla's shot just went past the far post.
After 57 minutes, Sodje's perseverance paid dividends as he was brought down on the edge of the area by Exeter captain Chris Todd. The substitute then rose to meet the resulting free kick from DeBolla to head Gravesend and Northfleet back into the game.
Almost immediately, Andy Taylor had a great opportunity to restore the two-goal cushion for Exeter but he dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box with Cronin beaten.
Gravesend continued to exert more pressure but could not create the chance they needed until they won a corner, thanks to good work by John Keeling. His well-directed corner was met by centre back Ross Smith and his header squeezed in at the near post to make it 2-2.
Exeter substitute Adam Stansfield almost restored the visitors' lead after 82 minutes, while joint top-scorer in the Conference Charlie MacDonald wasted his only chance of the game with five minutes left when he shot well wide.
But Sodje had the game's defining moment as the game ticked into injury time when he found the ball at his feet and goal at his mercy, but Rice's instinctive save meant the points were shared.