MATT Godden grabbed a hat-trick for Dartford in a thrilling 4-3 Princes Park triumph over Hyde United on Saturday.

Pre-match website speculation centred around who would lead the team out in the absence of club captain Elliot Bradbrook - the answer was Lee Burns.

Dartford swept into a comfortable 2-0 lead in the opening quarter of an four of what should have been a comfortable canter for the hosts against winless Hyde.

Scunthorpe loanee Godden swept home a 12th minute pass from Danny Harris, who had been set up by a Ryan Hayes right-sided cross.

Three minutes later the same player headed in a Hayes corner to establish what should have been a comfortable cushion.

Whether it was complacency or some other reason, Darts eased back on the pedal.

Hyde were gifted an unnecessary penalty just after the half hour mark which Scott Spencer converted.

Missing the organisational skills of injured defensive king-pin Kenny Clark, and the equally influential Bradbrook who was sitting the game out following a one match ban after accumulating five yellow cards, Darts were pressured.

Spencer scored his second two minutes before the break to leave the visitors trooping off with some hope of leaving Princes Park with a share of the spoils.

Tony Burman’s side were slow to get to grips with the game after the turn-round and Hyde get their noses in front when Louis Almond netted their third of the afternoon with a deflected free-kick from 30 yards out on 54 minutes.

Darts’ poorest Saturday home gate of the season of 1,083 was stunned but the drummer rallied the faithful and the introduction of academy product George Monger was an inspirational turning point.

With the clock winding down, he fired home a stunning 83rd minute volley to level the scores and deflate the visitors.

Then came Monger’s hat-trick winner with just three minutes remaining on the clock, a volley from close range to complete a remarkable comeback.

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Dartford: Julian: Burns, Collier, Mitchel-King, Fry, Hayes (Monger 86), Cornhill, Woodyard, Noble (Ibemere 62), Harris, Godden. Subs not used: Hill, Porter, Eisa. Att: 1,083.