A COMBINATION of freezing conditions and Chelsea on the box played its part in Darts' lowest league gate of the season.

Not even ‘Princes Bark' being paraded before the faithful could persuade more than 631 hardy souls to brave what is known as brass monkey weather.

Kicking off towards the Academy End, Darts encountered a bitterly harsh diagonal wind emanating from the golf course.

At once Darts showed intent with a surging left-side run, which resulted in a corner.

Basingstoke were let in for a moment thanks to a rather lazy back pass but the chance was lost.

Andy Young had to tip a shot over his bar, although for the rest of the half Darts maintained an edge and, but for somewhat wayward shooting, could have gone in ahead at the break.

The visitors did gain two free-kicks around the edge of the penalty area, one against Billy Burgess, who was not within three yards of the player at the time.

Both kicks curled high and wide over the bar.

The second half saw Darts move up a gear and the hosts were just that little bit more precise in finding their men.

A brace of substitutions - Jones for Burgess and Hayes for Harris just after the hour - showed Darts' intent. It paid off immediately.

An excellent surging run from Lee Noble ended with a 25-yarder which visiting keeper Morris tipped on to the bar.

The ball dropped onto right-back Reynolds and ran down his chest and over the line.

Comic cuts stuff but, nevertheless, a goal.

Basingstoke had to go forward to get a result, leaving themselves exposed to the counter punch.

A Noble curler was punched away for a corner.

Charlie Sheringham fed Ryan Hayes whose angled shot drifted agonisingly past the far post and the same combination ended with a cross being headed away.

Basingstoke did create a couple of chances but Young was in fine handling form and thoroughly deserved his second clean sheet on the trot.

John Still used to ask for a win, a clean sheet and good football out of a game. Darts got two and a bit against Basingstoke.

Dartford: Young, Burgess (Jones 61), Bonner, Bruce, Goodacre, Champion, Noble, Harris (Hayes 65), Sheringham (Burns 86), Bradbrook. Subs not used: Rook, Ibrahim. Att:631.