DARTFORD adopted a low-key approach to Saturday’s tricky FA Trophy tie at Southern League Premier Division leaders Brackley Town but still won comfortably.

The opening minutes were taken up by the usual testing-out moves.

But whatever plans Darts had for the game were disrupted within 15 minutes when Danny Harris was subjected to a heavy tackle which, after lengthy treatment, saw him replaced by Lee Burns.

What many opponents do not appreciate is Dartford's bench is so strong the players on it would be automatic starters anywhere else in the Conference South.

Losing a starter doesn't weaken the Darts!

Dartford were at three-quarter speed throughout and this proved to be clearly adequate as Brackley did not test keeper Louis Wells all afternoon, although late on the tall Jefferson Louis showed some nice touches.

His downfall, like so many of his colleagues, was the fact their passes were as likely to find the opposition as each other.

With half-time approaching, Brackley had a handball appeal rejected during a rare raid and moments later were penalised themselves for handling a cross in their own area, which did look more ball-to-hand.

Regardless, Darts captain Elliot Bradbrook converted the penalty via the underside of the bar to put the visitors in front at the interval.

The second half saw Wells and the Dartford defenders remain untroubled, which gave them the perfect springboard to secure the tie.

Two minutes either side of the hour mark Dartford settled matters with a brace of goals from Jacob Erskine.

Firstly, he rounded off a move started by Burns and carried on by the impressive Richard Graham with a deft strike.

Then Burns paved the way for Erskine to flat-foot home keeper Billy Turvey before scoring Darts' third goal.

Burns, who had taken a knock before half-time, was then substituted by Tony Garrod who showed some nice touches as Dartford ran the clock down.

Dartford will host Boston United at Princes Park in the next round.

Now all attention turns to tomorrow’s big home clash with league leaders Woking.

Follow us on twitter Dartford: Wells, Jones, Rogers, Bonner, Goodacre, Champion Hayes (Wallis), Harris (Burns)(Garrod), Erskine, Bradbrook, Graham. Subs not used: Green, Ibrahim. Att: 291.