DARTFORD came from behind to beat Havant & Waterlooville at Princes Park on Saturday.

Havant & Waterlooville looked a better outfit than in the earlier encounter and took an eighth minute lead following a corner, which was hit past Darts’ far post and knocked back to Sam Peace who headed past Louis Wells.

It was almost 2-0 when Scott Jones hit narrowly over the bar two minutes later and soon afterwards Jones was upended in the penalty area.

Up stepped Steve Ramsey to take the spot kick but he managed to blast his effort half way up the terracing at the Car Park End.

The let off came back to haunt Hawks seven minutes later when Dartford cobbled together a swift counter attack, allowing Lee Noble to head home the equaliser.

Tony Burman’s half-time tactical chat had an immediate impact on Darts, as the ball was kept on the deck, the passing sharpened up and the visitors were penned back.

The antics employed by Havant keeper Daniel Thomas infuriated home supporters.

At every goal goal-kick Thomas would receive crossing hand signals from his bench indicating which side goal-kicks should be taken.

The tactics were designed to snatch an undeserved point from the game.

But the introduction of Ryan Hayes for the hard-working Noble gave Dartford an added dimension and on 81 minutes the substitute executed a delightful chip, which was converted by Danny Harris.

Suddenly Thomas bucked up his ideas but to no avail. With just three minutes on the clock Hayes delivered a pin-point right wing corner and Luke Wilkinson headed in his maiden goal for Darts and secure the three points.

Dartford are back in action at Princes park on Tuesday when they host Sutton United at 7.45pm.

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Dartford: Wells, Jones, Green, Bonner, Wilkinson, Champion, Noble (Hayes 67), Wallis, Erskine (Burns 88), Bradbrook (Garrod 76), Harris. Subs not used: Monger, Ibrahim. Att: 1,037.