SECOND half goals from Joe Pigott and Ade Azeez gave a young Charlton side victory over Dartford at Princes Park last night.

At last Dartford were able to land Adam Birchall from Gillingham on a loan deal which, at the moment, runs until the January transfer window.

His impact was immediate, maybe not in the usual way of scoring goals but by bringing those around him into the game, particularly Darts favourite Ryan Hayes, who swung in more right-footed crosses in 90 minutes than he does normally all season.

The Charlton XI consisted of development squad players and it was a thoroughly entertaining evening, with Dartford always with the edge for the first hour.

But in the end, Darts were undone by a series of swift counter-attacks.

Again the Dartford starting line-up looked like the basis for the Conference opener at home to Alfreton Town on Saturday week, a difficult start to the upcoming campaign.

Dartford’s current problem – scoring goals from well-crafted approach work – remains unsolved but the impressive start from Birchall could well be the catalyst the team needs.

The game swung in Charlton’s favour on the hour thanks to the blistering pace of their counter attacks.

One moment Dartford were peppering the visitors with a flurry of corners, then it was counter attack from the Addicks ending with a penalty to the visitors when Kenny Clark was adjudged to fouled Pigott inside the box.

First impressions were the tackle was clearly outside, but Pigott managed to shovel the spot-kick high over the bar to ensure justice prevailed.

Undeterred, Dartford returned to the attack and forced three quick corners.

But midway through the second half the visitors broke the deadlock when Pigott made amends for his earlier penalty miss with a well-placed finish.

The game was made safe five minutes later as another counter attack ended with Azeez scoring from what looked like an offside position, the break being too fast for the assistant on the far side to notice.

Darts are at home to a Fulham XI on Saturday (3pm) when they expect to renew acquaintance with last season’s loanee keeper Marcus Bettinelli.

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Dartford: Julian, Burns (Collier 46), Rogers, Fry, Clark, Cornhill, Hayes, Birchall (Monger 84), Noble (Ibermere 72), Prior (Harris 46), Bradbrook. Subs not used: Vint, Eisa, Allan.

Charlton: Phillips, Osborne, Feely, Lennon, Fox, Paxman (Sho-Silva 61), Munns, Hughes (Poyet 61), Gerard (Muldoon 46), Azeez, Pigott. Subs not used: Mitov, Balde, Henry-Francis, Yeboah. Att 877