DARTFORD made the short trip to Braintree Town last night and recorded their second win on the road in the current campaign.

Two seasons ago in the last meeting between the clubs, Dartford scored both goals in a 1-1 draw. This time they again scored both goals – at the Braintree end!

It was a fine evening tinged with the first hint of the autumn ahead but the visitors warmed to their task and, after a nip-and-tuck opening spell, took the lead when Jacob Erskine was flattened out wide right.

Ryan Hayes hit a testing free-kick and Tom Bonner was nicely placed to get the vital touch to put the visitors in front.

Braintree responded immediately and on 21 minutes Marcus Bettinelli had to alert to turn behind a low, curling free-kick awarded for a foul on Ryan Peters.

The home side were dominant at this stage but Darts eased the pressure with a second goal on 34 minutes.

A scything move initiated by Danny Harris ended with an Erskine header which comprehensively beat home keeper Danny Naisbitt.

The second half saw Braintree turn up the wick in an effort to get back on terms, inspired by the lively James Mulley who supplied an endless variety of crosses.

Darts’ last line of defence, although under pressure, was just too good in the key areas and, combined with yet another polished display by Bettenelli in the Darts goal, the points were neatly pocketed and taken back over the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge to Princes Park.

In the final few minutes Darts gave a run-out to Gillingham loanee Adam Birchall who showed the touches which made him such a formidable foe in his days playing for 'Douvres'.

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Dartford: Bettenelli: Burns, Champion, Arber, Rose: Hayes, Bonner (Birchall 76), Wallis, Bradbrook, Harris (Rogers 67): Erskine (Crawford 76). Subs not used Rogers, Noble. Att: 771