DARTFORD used their game in hand at Eastbourne Borough to good effect with three points and a professional performance at Priory Lane last night.

The victory was founded on an outstanding display by the defensive unit, which allowed the lively home side’s attack few chances on goal. By keeping a clean sheet, Darts also conformed to the long-held belief that to win championships you need to concede, on average, less than a goal a game.

The teams came on to the pitch to a lively brass band rendition of Sussex by the Sea and the hosts ended their pre-match routine with an unusual sprint exercise which got the blood circulating.

Darts started brightly, winning an early corner on the left which came to nothing when the referee spotted a bit of pushing.

Eastbourne Borough countered with a swift break which ended with a shot whistling over the bar.

The highlight of the opening half came on 38 minutes when an Eastbourne player conceded a penalty for hand ball.

But Eastbourne keeper Mitchell Walker guessed correctly, diving to his left to stop Adam Green’s low kick down by his left post.

The second half saw Dartford up the pace and the defence pushed the home attack back. An early left-side corner was cleared to Tom Bonner, whose fierce drive skimmed the bar, and then Tom Champion produced a thunderous shot which went narrowly wide.

Just before the hour Darts took the lead when Elliot Bradbrook hit home following a flowing left-side move.

The home manager rang the changes to get something out of the game but Dartford were in no mood to surrender their vice-like grip on the game.

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Dartford: Wells, Burtns, Green, Bonner, Wilkinson, Champion, Noble, Rogers, Erskine, Bradbrook, Harris. Subs: Hayes, Jones, Pallen, Goodacre, Garrod. Att: 823.