Dartford boss Tony Burman believes the results of the next 11 games will decide whether his side stay up or go down and not Saturday’s relegation six-pointer against Alfreton.

The Darts earned a hard-fought point in the weekend’s goalless draw at Halifax after playing more than 70 minutes with 10 men, a result which saw them extend their improved league form to just one defeat in five games.

But despite Alfreton beating Kidderminster to pull a further two points clear of Dartford, Burman is confident his side’s long-term form will keep them up whatever the result on Saturday.

He said: “I don’t think it will determine whether we stay up, it’s the next 11 games that will.

“You can’t just keep saying it’s all on one game.

“We’ve played the last five games, if we had lost them then we would go down and that hasn’t happened yet.

“I don’t want the players to concentrate on the mathematics of the situation, they’ve just got to try and play - and play with confidence, not let the position get on top of them and interfere with their performances.

“They have just go to try and do their jobs and hopefully we can get a result on Saturday because we are home I’m looking forward to it and so are the players.”

Darts go into Saturday’s game in high spirits after their recent run and battling display at Halifax, an effort Burman was extremely proud of.

The Princes Park boss explained: “Under the circumstances I think the performance was excellent.

“Although we would’ve liked to have won, we have a point from the game and I believe it is a very big point which I’m really pleased about.

“They did very, very well.

“It was on a really difficult pitch as well and Halifax is a tough place to go.”

Darts showed real resolve after skipper Lee Burns was dismissed early in the game for pulling back Richard Peniket as he burst through on goal.

Burman said: “To go down to ten men made it even tougher and in fairness to all the players I’m delighted they managed to get something from the game.

“It would be nice if we can keep this run going. It’s important we try and win a few games in the next five and hopefully we can do.

“If it breaths that little bit of confidence then so be it and hopefully it will help us along the way.”

Burman was handed another boost last week with the news on-loan Plymouth Argyle defender Jamie Richards has extended his stay until the end of the season. 

The manager said: “He’s had about three or four games but he’s missed a couple because of the postponements.

“But it was always going to be that I wanted to keep him here and I’m glad we have.

“He’s a young lad and he’ll get stronger and will be of benefit to us.”

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