Dartford boss Tony Burman was left feeling relieved on Saturday after a last-gasp goal salvaged a point in their 2-2 draw at home with Hemel Hempstead.
The Darts, who had lost their previous three games, started brightly but were wasteful in front of goal – a trait that has blighted them in recent weeks.
Their inability to score was punished when Wilfried Gnahore opened the scoring for the visitors after 17 minutes.
The away side then doubled their advantage when Noor Husin rocketed his shot past Deren Ibrahim on 41 minute.
However, the game turned in Dartford's favour when Ed Oshodi was sent off for a foul on Danny Harris after 52 minutes.
The Darts made the most of their man advantage two minutes later when Danny Harris bundled in a Tom Bradbrook cross.
The home side continued to press for the equaliser, and they finally drew level when talisman Hayes curled in his edge of the area shot in injury time to snatch a point.
“I think we have played against a very good side,” Burman said.
“We have had the first three clear cut chances but then all of a sudden you find yourself 2-0 down.
“There was a little bit of inexperience from us in the second goal.
“It was daunting at half time but we had a chat with them and said that we have given ourselves a mountain to climb but that mountains do get climbed.
“I think we earned the right to get back in the game with our second half performance.”
The result comes after the club have received criticism from a section of supporters, but Burman was pleased with the support his side received from the terraces.
“I am pleased because I also felt that the supporters got behind the guys today.
“I know there has been a lot of criticism but for that 90 minutes there is nothing better than having a noisy crowd here.
“I know they could say that the performance has not been this, that, and the other, but we are a work in progress and fortunately for us, I felt that they got behind us and it gave everybody a lift.”
Burman conceded that the FA Cup defeat to Uxbridge was still a sore point, but remains confident in his side.
“The FA Cup game against Uxbridge has really hurt us, on and off the field, we all know that, but we have got to fight through it.
“They will improve. I realise that we have had a poor time. We want to get back to winning ways.”
Dartford's league campaign continues with a trip to Bishop's Stortford on Saturday.
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