DARTFORD lost their seventh successive competitive fixture on the trot when they went down to two first half goals from a pretty good Barnet outfit at Princes Park last night.

Certainly the visitors deserved their win, and it could have been even more convincing but for the woodwork which they struck at least four times in the second half.

Can Dartford gather any comfort from the game? Surprisingly, yes.

The back four of Nathan Collier, Kenny Clark, Conner Essam and Tyrone Sterling have, under trying circumstances, come together as a unit and are the foundation on which a recovery can be launched.

There is a lot of hard work to be done, but the playing staff and management team are fully capable of turning things around.

As the old saying goes: ‘It’s not how you start which counts but how you finish.’ And remember fellow Darts, there is still a long way to go.

Last night was typical of Dartford’s current luck. Having matched the visitors and created a couple of openings, it was Barnet who took the lead with their first attempt on target.

A second goal created the situation where a typical mid-table side have the cushion to ease home to victory.

A nasty injury to Jason Prior came as a massive blow for Darts and, perhaps, he should have been subbed off immediately instead of trying to continue until ultimately being replaced just before the break.

Be that as it may, the second half was noticeable that Dartford had nobody out wide right to perform the role of the injured Ryan Hayes, with the result play tended to bunch on the main stand side of the pitch, making Barnet's life even easier.

Next up at Princes Park are bogey side Forest Green Rovers in the FA Trophy on Saturday (3pm).

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Dartford: Smith, Collier, Clark, Essam, Sterling, Harris, Burns (Godden 61), Bradbrook, Martin, Prior (Woodyard 43), Birchall. Subs not used: Mitchel-King, Fry, Akinwande. Att: 803.