DARTFORD paraded on-loan York City striker George Purcell at Woking on Saturday.

A bit light on match fitness, he nevertheless showed signs of his pedigree from the off and it became apparent he could work off Carl Rook to great advantage.

Kicking to the New Stand End under a battleship grey sky, Darts were first in action through the probing Ryan Hayes.

One ingredient which has been missing this season has been the early goal – but not this time.

With 11 minutes on the clock, Joe Bruce won possession and fed Hayes wide out right.

Hayes jinked past his marker before drawing Cards keeper Andy Little from his goal and then sending an exquisite lob over the stranded custodian into the vacant goal.

'Ryno' then fed Carl Rook, who was just wide of the mark. With Darts in comfortable charge, Woking pulled themselves into the game midway through the half when, from a corner on the right, Elvis Hammond’s mis-hit shot trickled into the goal.

Worse was to follow in the last minute of the half.

A bout of inter-passing on the right saw a cross into the Dartford penalty area and Craig Faulconbridge rose high to head past Andrew Young.

Dartford went for the leveller after the break and it came quickly when Rook delivered a sublime cross, which Purcell converted with a slashing shot of immense power.

Thereafter both sides went for a third goal and while the Cards had a trio of skilled front runners, they were inept in the finishing department.

More determined in attack, Darts did create better chances two of which Purcell, short of the sharpness which match fitness brings, was unable to dispatch.

The game ended with both sides dropping two points rather than picking up one.

Dartford: Young, Bruce, Bonner, Champion, Goodacre, Shinn, Hayes (Harris 75), Burns, Rook (Sheringham 55), Purcell, Bradbrook. Subs not used: Burchell , Burgess, White. Att: 896.