A superb late equaliser from substitute Josh Hill ensured Dartford took a share of the points at Princes Park.

The visitors scored the opening goal of the game after 24 minutes through Kieran Parselle after the ball found it’s way to him from a free kick. The Chippenham captain then received a second yellow card for two late challenges in the 84^th minute, which gave Dartford the impetus to equalise. The home side did just that in the 88^th minute through an excellent  finish into the bottom corner from substitute Josh Hill.

Dartford’s new signing, Elliot Romain was announced just two hours before kick-off. After being released by Eastbourne earlier in the week, he went straight into the starting eleven. Steve King made a further two changes to the side that lost to Kingstonian in the FA Cup last weekend.

Chippenham, who were looking to extend their three-game winning streak experienced some joy down their right side in the opening stages, but it was the home side with the first shot of the game. Cameron Brodie drove forward with the ball and unleashed a goal bound shot. The ball looked like it was creeping just inside the post at one point, but thankfully for Will Puddy in the Chippenham goal, the ball just drifted the wrong side of the post.

The visitors’ first shot of the game came as the scoreboard ticked over to nine minutes. Experienced front man Chris Zebroski did well to get a shot away in the box but his shot was well blocked by Jordan Gibbons. From the resulting corner, Mark Smith got down well to make a good save.

Within a few minutes Karnell Chambers, who caused the Dartford defence problems all afternoon, unleashed a well worked shot but Mark Onyemah was equal to it. Moments later, Onyemah was forced off through injury and was replaced by Josh Hill.

The opening goal came in the 24^th minute. The visitors free kick from the right wing clipped the wall and looped over to the far post. The ball dropped down to an unmarked Kieran Parselle who struck the ball through several bodies into the net. 0-1

As the game passed the half hour mark, Jordan Gibbons, who saw a lot of the ball in the first half put in a couple of teasing crosses which just needed to find a Darts player to convert, but to no avail and this proved to be the issue throughout the game.

Chippenham’s final chances of the half came through a speculative shot from Chambers who found himself with some space and a low free kick by Tom Whelan was pushed away by Smith and the rebound from close range was poked wide from Chambers after being put under pressure.

The Darts started the second half with more possession and played with a higher tempo, with Chippenham playing more on the break and nearly found themselves through on goal on the hour mark. Josh Hill did well to cut out a pass with Chippenham having 3 players who could have easily been through on goal.

The Bluebirds continued to frustrate Dartford who were then caught napping. A short corner taken by Jay Ferguson saw Rhys Tyler force Mark Smith to make a fingertip save to tip the ball just over the upright.

Karnell Chambers twice looked to extend his sides lead. He initially sent a good ball into the box from the left but a glancing header from the penalty spot was sent just wide. Chambers then sent a shot which was heading into the bottom corner but was deflected out for a corner.

Chippenham looked to shut up shop when defender Will Richards replaced playmaker Karnell Chambers. However, just one minute later the turning point came. Chippenham skipper Kieran Parselle was dismissed after receiving a second booking for another late challenge.

The home side’s equaliser came after 88 minutes through substitute Josh Hill. Chippenham’s defence, which is the best in the league, had defended resolutely all afternoon. But Dartford caught Chippenham out with a quick throw to Hill on the left who cut inside and sent a superb curling shot into the bottom corner to rescue a point for The Darts.

Dartford went in search of a winner in added time but a combination of desperate defending and wasteful balls meant that the points were shared.

Chippenham extend their unbeaten run to 10 games, while Dartford will be looking to improve their home form when they face fellow Kent side Maidstone in their next home game.

Dartford: Smith, Gibbons, Onyemah (Hill 17mins), Crook, Bonner, Vint, Brodie (Wanadio 74mins), Allen, Romain (Hayes 74mins), Pugh, McQueen

Subs not used: Wabo, Greenhalgh

Goals: Hill (88)

Chippenham: Puddy, Tyler, Ferguson, Zebroski, Whelan, Gunner (Rigg 63mins), Jarvis (Pratt 63mins), Parselle, McDonald, Chambers (Richards 83mins), Haines

Subs not used: Hopper, Youseff

Goals: Parselle (24)

Attendance: 883

Referee: Mr M Ryan

Assistants: Mr R Ablitt and Mr A Harris