DARTFORD overcame Canvey Island in last night’s FA Cup third qualifying round replay after a penalty shootout finally ended 9-8 in their favour at around 10.30pm.

It is one of those results which will be recalled in decades to come when supporters gather to talk football.

The conversation will start with the question: ‘Were you at Princes Park on 12th October 2010?’

And many will reply: ‘No! I watched England stagger to a 0-0 against Montenegro.’

There are times when what happens on the pitch is beyond mere description.

Suffice to say Canvey Island, as on Saturday, took the lead, Darts got their noses in front only to be pegged by the never-say-die visitors who taking the tie into extra-time where sheer endeavour took the game to penalties.

One thing is for certain - the Leiceston spy returned home bewildered as to what to expect when they face the Darts in the next stage.

Which one was Dartford? Did the teams swap shirts before the start? What strategy do we employ?

The bare bones are Canvey took the lead after 17 minutes when Frank Everett headed home at the Jimmy Hill End.

Danny Harris headed Darts level three minutes later from a Ryan Hayes cross, Ryno having been set free by an inspired ball from Tom Bonner.

Darts took the lead when Hayes’ penalty was parried by Russell and Carl Rook reacted first to the save.

The lead was extended to 3-1 when Paul Goodacre headed home a right-footed Hayes cross via the far post.

Canvey hit back on 66 minutes as Alex Rhodes fired home from way out left before the same player levelled matters.

Thus into extra-time and those penalties.

Dartford keeper Andy Young made a save to keep his side in the competiotion at one stage by denying Matt Game but the tension was finally ended by Jason Hallett's miss as the Darts made it through 9-8.

Dartford: Young, Bruce, Bonner, Champion (Gross 57), Goodacre, Shinn (Sheringham 80), Hayes, White, Harris, Rook (Burchell 108), Bradbrook. Subs not used: Burns, Noble, Berquez, Whitehouse. Att: 665.