DARTFORD enjoyed a Bank Holiday Monday derby triumph over Bromley this afternoon.

Visitors Bromley had the first chance on three minutes when Rob Gilman headed over from eight yards after getting on the end of Danny Waldren's free-kick.

Dean Santangelo had to tip over a dangerous Ryan Hayes corner at the other end moments later but there was nothing the visitors could do to prevent Dartford taking the lead on seven minutes when Elliot Bradbrook's stunning 20 yard volley flew into the back of the net.

Bradbrook was unfortunate not to connect with Richard Graham's 15th minute corner because he would surely have tested Santangelo had he done so, while the keeper had to be alert to save Hayes'

free-kick three minutes later.

Dartford were extremely unfortunate not to double their advantage midway through the first half after being awarded a free-kick 25 yards out.

News Shopper: Elliot Bradbrook fires the Darts into the lead in spectacular style. PICTURES BY KEITH GILLARD.

A trio of Darts players stepped up to take the set piece but it was Jon Wallis who swung it in and his delivery was deflected onto the bar off Gilman and behind for a corner.

Leon McKenzie tried his luck from long range with a stinging volley which sailed over Andy Young's bar and Bromley went even closer in the 34th minute when Harry Harding's low shot was pushed out by the Dartford keeper and McKenzie fired just wide.

Harding was never going to trouble Young with a low shot from 20 yards that lacked both power and conviction two minutes into the second half.

Tutu Henriques got a vital touch to prevent Wallis converting Sheringham's flick on, while Graham did all the hard work on 50 minutes by creating space for himself just inside the area to line up a shot before placing his effort wide of the post.

Sheringham hit the bar from 25 yards two minutes later as Dartford really began to turn the screw.

News Shopper: Danny Waldren makes it all square

Graham had another great chance when he exchanged passes with Wallis before blazing over, so it came as no surprise when Lillies boss Mark Goldberg made a double substitution after a poor start to the second period.

McKenzie and Danny Huckton were the duo to make way as Gareth Williams and Hakeem Araba came on in an attempt to freshen things up.

Williams' first contribution was to place a header just wide of the target from Dolby's cross and the striker saw a shot blocked by Paul Goodacre in the Bromley's next attack.

Things were all of a sudden looking more promising for the visitors and they drew level in the 63rd minute, a move starting with an Ugo Udoji throw ending with Waldren drilling a low shot home through a packed penalty area.

News Shopper: Charlie Sheringham restores Darts' advantage from 12 yards

Bradbrook headed just over from Graham's 68th minute corner just before Tony Burman replaced Graham with Danny Harris.

Goodacre became the next Darts player to be denied by the woodwork when his 71st minute header from Hayes' corner hit the bar.

Wallis made way for Lee Noble eight minutes later as Burman made his second change and the game swung back Dartford's way in the 81st minute when Hayes was pushed in the area by Nathan Green and the referee pointed straight to the spot.

Sheringham kept his cool by sending Santangelo the wrong way from 12 yards and breaking Bromley's hearts after a spirited comeback.

And things went from bad to worse for the visitors as the Darts went further in front when a short Hayes free-kick found Noble on the right of the area and his low cross was tapped home at the back post by Harris.

News Shopper: Danny Harris completes the scoring

Young produced a stunning stop at the other end to keep out substitute Aaron Rhule's curling shot as Bromley tried to get themselves straight back in it.

But there was to be no late show and Dartford claimed the points in what was ultimately a deserved success for the hosts, who remain unbeaten this season.

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Dartford: Young, Jones, A Green, Bonner, Goodacre, Champion, Hayes (Burns 85), Wallis (Noble 79), Sheringham, Bradbrook, Graham (Harris 69). Subs not used: Ibrahim, Rogers.

Bromley: Santangelo, Udoji, N Green (Rhule 84), Harding, Gilman, Harwood, Waldren, Henriques, McKenzie (Williams 56), Hockton (Araba 56), Dolby. Subs not used: Dolan, Ibrahima. Att: 1,550.

View our picture gallery of the Dartford v Bromley match.