DARTFORD manager Tony Burman says individual defensive errors were to blame for Saturday's surprise 3-2 defeat to Waltham Abbey.

The Darts celebrated their first birthday at Princes Park and were fully expected to continue their impressive run with three points.

Waltham Abbey had other ideas and twice fought back from behind to grab a shock victory with an 84th minute winner from James Elmes.

Burman said: "I was obviously disappointed with the outcome on what should have been a day to celebrate.

"We defended poorly and were eventually made to pay the price.

"Our defensive record has been excellent and we've only conceded one goal in seven games before Saturday, but it was individual mistakes which cost us.

"Those mistakes came from individuals who have been absolutely superb recently, but to lose a lead twice at home is not acceptable from a side with promotion aspirations."

Burman used last night's League Cup game with Aveley to draft in three under-21 players and first team squad members.

The experiment paid off as the Darts came away as comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to a Tom Bradbrook brace and a single strike by John Guest.

Burman said: "It was a game where I gave players who have been waiting patiently 90 minutes of football, as well as looking at three of our under-21s.

"We played reasonably well and there are plenty of positives to take from the game.

"The only downside was picking up a couple of injuries."

Dartford return to league action with a tough trip to Redbridge on Saturday before another crucial fixture on Tuesday at Waltham Forest.

The manager believes the two sets of fixtures will make the league table much clearer by this time next week and go a long way to showing who really is up for the promotion fight.

He explained: "It will be interesting to see what the table looks like next Wednesday morning for the teams at the top and these are a really important few days for everyone.

"Redbridge will be a tough place to go because they are on a good run and have some very experienced players at this level, so we will have to work hard to get something."

Adam Flanagan is back from suspension, while Tommy Osborne and Richard Avery both played 90 minutes against Aveley last night.

Eddie McClements, Junior Kadi and Brad Potter are all definitely out, but Mark Green has a 50-50 chance of featuring after breaking a bone in his hand.

Meanwhile, Burman has explained his decision to sign winger Phil Williams from Dulwich Hamlet.

He said: "I've been looking for players with pace to burn because I've felt for a while now it is something we have been lacking.

"Phil came into this category, although he was under contract with Dulwich and they wanted a fee for him until as recently as last week.

"Both Phil and Dulwich had a bit of a fall out and his contract was cancelled, so he has come here to give both parties the chance to have a look at each other."