DARTFORD edged a seven-goal thriller against Hastings to edge ever closer to the Ryman Premier title.

It was 127 minutes since Dartford’s third goal against Maidstone United when Ryan Hayes scored direct from a right-side corner at the Academy End to give Darts the lead against play-off contenders Hastings United.

He was a fitting scorer of Darts’ 100th competitive goal of the season..

For almost half-an-hour, Dartford had to contend with a bright opening by the visitors, whose line-up included Harry Pell on work experience from Charlton Athletic.

He certainly got some on Saturday.

Hastings attacked from the first whistle with evergreen tormenter Ade Olorunda prominent, egged on by a vociferous contingent of travelling supporters.

This was non-league football at its best, with the pace and commitment building over the 96 minutes which this gripping saga lasted.

Referee John Magill set the tone with two yellow cards early on, but the fact there was one for each side indicated he would be firm but fair.

Having weathered the visitors’ early onslaught and then taken the lead, Darts looked a good bet to reach the break a goal to the good.

But they reckoned without Ade Olorunda, who took advantage of a split-second moment of defensive laxity to hit home the leveller on 45 minutes.

Then Hastings, anticipating parity at the interval, were themselves upstaged when Danny Harris headed home a Hayes cross to restore Darts’ advantage.

Al Jolson said in The Jazz Singer, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

And we hadn’t.

There was even enough sun and rain to combine to allow a rainbow to make a brief appearance against a grey clouded sky.

The second half was even more high-octane than before and on 55 minutes, Liam Bellamy rose high to head home a right sided corner and make it 2-2.

A misunderstanding between Dartford’s defence and keeper Andy Young 10 minutes later allowed Olorunda to roll the loose ball agonisingly and slowly into Darts’ unguarded goal.

Within moments a deep Hayes cross at the other end had Hastings keeper Steve Williams fumbling and Harris was nicely placed to score his second to make it 3-3.

Darts were now really buzzing and, typical of this period, was a crashing drive from Lee Noble which rattled Williams’ left post from all of 30 yards.

Hastings were bending but not breaking as they came under severe Dartford pressure but there had to be a winner and the hosts were forcing the situation.

A Bradbrook header was hoofed off the line, Flanners hit the post and, in the dying moments Hayes curled in a wicked free-kick which Elliot Bradbrook converted to seal a memorable victory.

Dartford: Young, Burgess, Gross, Flanagan, Beales, Dafter, Hayes (White 90), Noble (Shinn 79), Harris, Rook (Haworth 84), Bradbrook. Subs not used: Tait, Coyle. Att: 1,235.