DARTFORD won a gritty point at Waltham Forest to maintain their bid for a play-off spot, writes Mike Brett-Smith.

The first real attack was from Darts after Ian Pulman set up Ryan Hayes who forced Nej Hussein into a save.

Waltham soon let their intentions known with a series of pacy raids but Kevin Hudson was in top form.

However, midway through the half Afolabi Orilonishe slung in a cross to the unmarked Leon Belton-McKenzie and his shot put The Stags 1-0 up.

Nowadays Darts do not give in and shortly before the break they were level when Tommy Osborne hoisted a high free-kick into the goal area and Anthony Henry headed home via the crossbar.

In the second half Darts' cause was not helped when Dave Martin, injured just before the break, limped off to be replaced by new signing Brendon Cass.

Then the hosts prised an opening on the hour when Wesley Thomas to headed home another Orilonshe cross.

With 15 minutes left Darts were thrown a lifeline when a defensive mix up ended with a fortuitous own-goal.

It sparked Darts to their best spell of the match and they almost snatched an unlikely winner but had to settle for the single point.