DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has paid tribute to his players for cutting the gap at the top of the Conference South to just five points.

Woking looked to have sewn up the league at Christmas, but Burman's side have been outstanding in 2012 and they made sure they maintained their push for promotion with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday.

"It was a difficult place to come to, but we said before the game, the main thing is that we get the three point," said Burman after the game.

"You've got to be patient, but you've still got to believe and we were disappointed we didn't come in at half time in front, but we just felt if we kept working hard, a goal would come.

"And if that goal did come, we'd follow it up with others.

"Unfortunately that wasn't to be, but one is enough and got us three points."

With just five games remaining, the manager holds faith that his side can catch the league leaders should they slip up, starting with their two games in 72 hours this Easter weekend.

However, the Darts are playing on just the Saturday against fellow high-fliers Chelmsford City.

"It's a big five points because we've done brilliantly to close that gap from Woking, and I think we deserve a lot of credit for that as well," said the manager.

"People back in November and December thought it was over and finished, but we've managed to claw that back, and I think for the second part of the season, we've been absolutely outstanding.

"It makes it interesting, but at the start of the season we said the play-offs were the target and we've achieved that.

"I am absolutely delighted for the fans and the club for that - it's a great achievement."

Woking travel to Basingstoke on Good Friday, before they welcome Tonbridge Angels on Monday, but Burman admits he'll be concentrating on Dartford's game rather than worrying about others.

And he cranked up the pressure, admitting it's a nervous time for teams looking to get over the finish line.

"On Saturday and Monday, they're big, big games, but I'm not going to be disappointed if they don't go our way, so I'll get my players relaxed, but at the same time, they want to win," he said.

"Two games in three days is tough, but we go into it riding high.

"4.45pm on Monday is going to be a telling time, and I think it's going to be a telling weekend for a lot of people and a lot of clubs. It makes it interesting and that's what I wanted to do.

"You've got to look after yourself in football at this time of the year. It's a big game, but they're all big games, and we've been reasonable with the teams around us.

"A few years ago, we were behind Chelmsford, but we're catching up, we're in the same league and we're beginning to be on level par with some of these clubs.

"For us to be up there, and if you had asked me at the start of the season we'd be above Chelmsford, I would have thought we would have been at the top.

"They're always thereabouts and always a difficult team to play against."

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