Tilbury 1-2 Dartford

THIS was a thoroughly entertaining encounter, good enough to allow the spectators to forget the chill October night.

From the off, Tilbury's Andre Humphrey showed his electric pace to good effect along the right wing, prompted by his skipper Jay Taylor, as the home side showed why they were unbeaten at Chadfields all season.

Darts had to be at their best - and they were.

They matched like with like as Mark Green and Ryan Hayes created havoc and space behind the home defence.

Up front, Jay May was winning his fair share of the high balls and Junior Kadi laid off a number of astute passes.

When Darts did put Tilbury under pressure, they were thwarted by the tall Paul Agu in the home goal, who caught everything cleanly up until Dartford's equaliser.

Dartford had a good spell of pressure after the midway point of the first half and a succession of Steve Norman corners tested Agu and his defenders.

Typically of this sort of pressure, the home side broke free up the left with a brace of quick passes, which allowed Sam Holloway to outstrip Darts' right flank, cut in from the touch and fire an unstoppable drive past Tony Kessell.

Stung, Darts hit back and strung together a series of flowing moves and just before the break, Brendon Cass headed home a left side cross despite close attention from Agu.

In the second half, Darts always had a bit too much for Tilbury and it was no surprise when, on 57 minutes, Cass scored a copycat header to put Darts into the lead.

This was his 50th Dartford goal in 81 outings and underlined his prolific abilities.

Thereafter Darts shepherded Tilbury successfully, controlling the game with many an attractive passing move.

Kessell was a rock in goal and the back four controlled the home attack with skipper Alex O'Brien prompting from the midfield holding position.

With 20 minutes left, Dave Moore replaced Ryan Hayes and in the 84th minute Tom Bradbrook came on for Jay May.

Bradbrook looks every inch a bustling, battling never-give-up old-fashioned centre forward who will terrorise many a defence as he develops through the season.

At the death Tilbury, who are a very good side, went for broke and the result was in doubt right to the final whistle.

Dartford: Kessell, Coyle, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, O'Brien, Hayes (Moore), Kadi, Cass, J May (Bradbrook), Green. Subs not used: Lewis, Potter, Tedder. Att: 221