Aveley 2-2 Dartford

FOR the second Saturday running, Darts returned from Essex with just a point from a winnable league fixture after being pegged back by Aveley.

On the plus side, their unbeaten run extends to six in the league and eight in all competitions.

The game started slightly early on a day of lumpy grey clouds and a chill breeze with Darts having the advantage of the minor slope on Aveley's expansive Mill Field.

Starting with the familiar early touches from Phil Williams, Darts penned the home side back with Brendon Cass caught offside in the first raid.

Aveley countered along the right flank, which they favoured all day, with Barnes calling Tony Kessell into action with a routine save after 10 minutes.

Ryan Hayes was busy along the right wing, cutting inside frequently and it was a Hayes-led run and pass out to Williams which set up Darts' opening goal.

Williams, who had been stretched out on the pitch a couple of times, skipped over a tackle and fed Eddie McClements, who picked his spot despite goalkeeper Rafis making a partial stop.

Eleven minutes later it was 2-0 when Tommy Osborne set Jay May free and his good work on the right was imperiously swept home past Rafis by McClements.

It was almost 3-0 soon afterwards when Hayes jinked in from the right and arched a left-footer just wide of goal.

Seven minutes before the interval. Aveley were awarded a free-kick out on the far right side.

Holloway's kick caused hesitation in the Darts' rearguard and enabled Ben Bradbury to hit firmly past Kessell.

The second half was a more cautious affair with Aveley using the slope to gain territorial advantage, but with Darts holding firm and occasionally mounting attacks of their own, the likelihood of a goal was slight.

Typical of Dartford's efforts was a Hayes free-kick which saw a John Guest header go under Rafis's arms and, again, Jay May forced a corner which was cleared.

There were delays for injury treatment and a couple of Aveley substitutions which gave them more variety up front.

Kessell was called on to make a brace of smart saves before Tony Burman replaced Hayes and Cass with Green and Bradbrook.

On 84 minutes, home striker Gasper was awarded a penalty and Ryan Doyle levelled matters from the spot.

An Aveley defender sliced the ball over his own goal line from 20 yards in injury time, but the resulting corner was wasted.

The Darts make their third consecutive Saturday trip to Essex this weekend when they visit Witham Town.

Dartford: Kessell, Coyle, Norman, Osborne, Guest, O'Brien, Hayes (Green 78) May, Cass (Bradbrook 78), McClements, Williams Subs not used: Lewis, Kadi, Avery. Att: 409