AN ACCIDENT on the M25 left the Darts with no time to prepare ahead of their FA Cup-tie against a feisty Worthing team.

From the kick-off Worthing played old-fashioned kick and rush football to some effect, giving Darts no time play in their usual composed style. Dartford's best moments came thanks to Billy Burgess whose quality passing drove the visitors forward. But these early forays came to nothing, as Darts' front men fell foul of the Worthing off-side trap.

Worthing pressure produced a free-kick after 17 minutes which was turned wide by Andrew Young, leading to a corner which was cleared off the Dartford goal-line.

Despite the Rebels' best efforts, Dartford got the upper hand, taking the lead shortly before the interval thanks to Elliot Bradbrook.

A sustained ariel assault on the Worthing goal from Ryan Hayes always looked likely to break the dead lock; but when one of his crosses fell to Lee Burns, his effort was bested by the woodwork.

In the end it was a corner which found Elliot Bradbrook, who steered home for his fifth goal of the season.

Despite Dartford's dominance in the second half the Rebels looked dangerous on the counter-attack, but keeper Andrew Young kept them at bay.

And with twenty minutes to go Lee Noble set up Jay May to drive the ball past Worthing keeper Alan Mansfield.

But the home side refused to surrender the tie and a late goal from Jamie Brotherton resulted in a nailbiting final five minutes for the Darts.

Dartford: Young, Burgess, Gross, Flanagan (Capt), Beales, Noble (White 82), Hayes (Tait 74), Day, May (Haworth 82), Burns, Bradbrook. Subs not used – Coyle, Dafter, Kessell

Att: 611