AFTER their Boxing Day draw Dartford took their chance to defeat Welling United in a tense play-off derby match in front of a crowd of 2,559.

Danny Harris scored the only goal as Welling failed to convert any of their many chances.

Jacob Erskine was restored to the Dartford line up at the expense of Tony Garrod and James Rogers started in place of the suspended Jon Wallis.

Andy Sambrook came in for Welling player-manager, Jamie Day (suspended), while Dean Cracknell, signed from Thurrock for his second spell with the Wings, replaced Loick Pires (injured).

An early Luis Cumbers effort was blocked by Connor Essam before Andy Pugh fired over.

A half-hearted claim for a penalty for handball was all that Dartford could muster in the early exchanges whilst Ben Martin shot over for Welling and Joe Healy had a shot saved by Darts keeper Louis Wells.

News Shopper: Andy Pugh gets a shot past Tom Champion. PICTURES BY DAVE BUDDEN.

The hosts’ best opportunities came from dead ball situations and Nick Pope did well to punch away a well delivered free kick, then in Dartford’s next foray Ryan Hayes almost took advantage of Welling’s failure to clear.

Cracknell’s free kick for Welling was only half cleared but Sambrook’s shot went well wide.

Adam Green had a shot for Dartford headed clear by Jack Parkinson, Harris hit a shot well over and a Hayes free kick went wide in a good spell for the home team.

Cumbers chased a long ball but could not quite lift the ball over Wells before Tom Champion became the first entry in referee Colin Lymer’s notebook for an ugly challenge on Healy just before half time.

Harris had the first opportunity of the second half but could not keep his effort down before Welling came close to opening the scoring.

Pugh did superbly to win a loose ball and play it out to Cumbers before bursting forward to receive the return pass. He then slid the ball back to Cracknell whose shot went over via the crossbar.

News Shopper: Jack Obersteller's shot is saved by Darts keeper Louis Wells

Jack Evans then hit a shot that was saved brilliantly by Wells at the cost of a corner.

After the initial delivery was headed out for another corner, Jack Obersteller’s second effort was headed down by Lee Clarke to Martin who saw his shot cleared off the line by Green.

Further goal-line clearances by Matt Jones and Elliot Bradbrook kept the scores level before the Darts scored against the run of play.

As had been shown earlier, the most likely source of a Dartford goal was from a dead ball delivery.

Hayes’ 58th minute delivery was headed goalwards by Tom Bonner but needed the all important flicked header from Harris to beat Pope.

Dartford had another good spell immediately after the goal but failed to fashion any opportunities before Wells was forced to make a good save to thwart Obersteller.

News Shopper: Tom Bonner beats Luis Cumbers to the ball

Four corners in quick succession put the Dartford defence under pressure before Wells claimed the final one.

Bonner again showed the threat he posed at corners when he rose to head down another Hayes delivery only to see Pope make an outstanding save.

Dartford had another opening when the hard working Jacob Erskine had a shot saved by Pope before Welling laid siege to the Dartford goal for the last fifteen minutes.

Healy headed over from Pugh’s cross and after Cracknell became the first Welling player to be cautioned, Pugh shot wide from an Evans cross.

Lee Noble replaced Hayes but after equalising late in the game on Boxing Day, his defensive qualities were more important on this occasion.

Three half chances were created for the outstanding Pugh but two were saved by Wells and the other went just wide of his far post.

News Shopper: Adam Green clears in front of Luis Cumbers

Welling’s leading scorer then allowed Healy to cross but Clarke fired over.

Mr Lymer was busy in the final few minutes cautioning Martin for a foul on Harris, Green for a foul on Healy and Welling substitute Ryan Dolby for dissent.

One final chance fell Welling’s way but Pugh stabbed his first time effort just wide.

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Dartford: Wells, Jones, Green, Bonner, Essam, Champion, Hayes (Noble 78), Rogers, Erskine, Bradbrook, Harris. Subs not used: Graham, Garrod, Monger, Ibrahim.

Welling United: Pope, Evans, Obersteller, Sambrook (Dolby 86), Parkinson, Martin, Cracknell, Clarke, Cumbers, Pugh, Healy. Subs not used: Tuna, Johnson, Acheampong, Fazakerley. Att: 2,559.