DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says Tony Kessell has responded well after he failed to regain his goalkeeping jersey on his return from injury.

Kessell is fit and available for selection again, but the impressive form of Andrew Young between the sticks during his absence has earned him the number one jersey and reduced Kess to a spectator on the bench.

Burman said: “Tony Kessell got injured and we got a good keeper in Andrew Young who has done alright.

“He did extremely well at Billericay on Saturday and in what was his best performance with us.

“Kess is fit at the moment, but I don’t want to change a winning team which is why he has been a substitute.

“He has reacted to this positively and accepts and understands my reasoning and is the first to accept why I am not changing it at the moment.”

Dartford climbed up to mid-table on Saturday after Lee Noble’s stunning first half free-kick secured a 1-0 victory at Billericay.

The manager was delighted with the outcome and claimed his side were finally starting to get a bit of luck go there way, something which had been sorely missing during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Burman said: “It was a good away result against a side who hadn’t lost at home so far this season.

“We delivered a really good, organised performance and feel we deserved the three points.

“I honestly feel we’ve had a change of fortune in the last couple of weeks.

“We’ve played alright this season in previous games and certainly no side in this division has absolutely slaughtered us.

“Things like the keeper making vital saves like he did at Billericay are now starting to happen for us and it has made a real difference.”

Dartford host Margate on Saturday at Princes Park in a game which has been brought forward from Tuesday evening after both clubs went out of the FA Cup.

Burman said: “It will be a tough game and they will come here wanting to play football.

“Margate have made a similar to start to us, although we have won a few more games than them in the last couple of weeks.”

Burman also revealed he is uncertain as to when Eddie McClements will be back and available for selection.

He explained: “Eddie told me initially he expected to away for up to three months and we are coming to that point soon.

“I haven’t spoken to him for a while because he is a graphic designer working on a contract which takes him out of the country quite a lot.

“The honest answer is I don’t actually know when he will be back.

“Eddie is still registered as a Dartford player and nothing has changed in that respect.”