DARTFORD manager Tony Burman is confident his table-topping side can come through three tough away games in the space of a week.

The Darts travel to Carshalton in the league on Saturday, Sutton United on Tuesday evening and Worthing in the FA Cup on Saturday week.

Burman’s squad are five points clear in the Ryman Premier Division and the boss is hoping this advantage will be retained by the final whistle at Sutton on Tuesday.

He said: “Carshalton will be there or there abouts this season, so Saturday is going to be a real test for us.

“Francis Vines has just come in as the new manager there and when that happens players are always out to impress.

“I’m sure they will be doing this on Saturday and they are doing quite well in the league, so it will be tough.

“This is a very big week for us with three difficult matches coming up.

“But the lads are in good spirits at the minute and I’m not going to change what we’ve been doing up until this point.”

Dartford finish their travels at Worthing on September 26 after comfortably progressing to the FA Cup second qualifying round with a 6-1 win at Chipstead on Saturday.

The goals were shared by six different players and the manager was naturally delighted with the outcome.

Burman explained: “I thought the performance was excellent because the tie was a potential banana skin for us.

“My players were focused throughout and did exactly what we asked of them.

“We scored twice in the first 10 minutes and didn’t look back.”

And although slightly frustrated to see his side forced to travel again for the next hurdle, Burman maintains Dartford will maintain the same attitude and commitment shown at Chipstead when they visit Worthing on Saturday week.

He said; “It is a bit disappointing to have another away game but it will be another match where we take on a team from a lower division.

“One of the reasons the FA Cup is such a great competition is because there are so many upsets each year.

“We will be extremely careful to avoid this happening to us, just like we were at Chipstead.

“The priority is to get a result and book our place in the next round.

“We certainly won’t take anything for granted and will give Worthing the respect they deserve, but we are going there to do a job and get a result.”

Danny Dafter (calf) is doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Carshalton, although he is expected to be available to face Sutton three days later.