“We stopped the rot… but what’s it cost us this time!” Tony Burman’s blunt assessment after seeing his Dartford side snap a run of seven straight defeats with a morale boosting 1-1 FA Trophy draw with Forest Green Rovers.

“It was a much better display, but I don’t think either side really wanted a replay,” Burman admitted after the game which saw the name of Mat Mitchel-King added to the ridiculous list of injuries that currently blights Princes Park.

Forced off at half time with what at first glance looked like a broken bone in his hand – the defender emerged from the dressing room with his left hand taped up like a boxer prior to his glove being fitted – but was also complaining of a shoulder problem which necessitated a Sunday morning trip to his local A&E.

Overall though a draw was probably just about right yet both teams scored as the opposition were on top – Danny Harris blasted the home side in front on the stroke of half time which Yan Klukowski was allowed to run through the middle of the Darts defence to shoot past Phil Smith from the box with a touch less than 20 minutes to play.

In truth, it was arguably a goal that was too long in coming for the visitors, as in the opening quarter, Rovers dominated, and in particular Danny Wright almost proved too much for the Darts on his own. As early as the seventh minute, the former Wrexham striker curled a great effort beyond Smith but also the left post before James Norwood then forced Smith into a really smart after some good wing play from Eddie Oshodi.

The first chance for the Darts fell to Adam Birchall and what a chance it was. The ball dropped to the striker on loan from Priestfield and his instinctive shot needed a save of the highest order from keeper Sam Russell.

Thing is when you’re in a position that the Darts find themselves – seven defeats on the trot – keepers make wonder reflex saves and that’s sadly what happened. But whereas in other weeks, Burman’s side would have crumbled, this time they held firm despite a shoot on sight policy for the visitors that saw Keiron Forbes, Wright and Norwood all go close.

Yet there was always a feeling around Princes Park that Dartford weren’t going to crumble, and both Birchell and Danny Harris tested Russell from distance, before the Darts took the lead. It was a delightful through ball from Birchell for Harris to run onto, and the Dartford man took advantage of a fortuitous bounce to drill the ball beyond the Rovers keeper and into the net just four minutes before half time.

At half time, the Darts ever increasing injury list claimed another victim as Mitchel-King left the side, but in a strange way the move galvanised the home side, and the pendulum really seemed as though it had swung in the Darts direction and seven minutes into the second half the Rovers goal had a really lucky escape.

Birchell’s shot was spilled by Russell and on loan Jim Stevenson just couldn’t react quickly enough to force the ball over the line. It was a break that Rovers were to take full advantage of as after a period of intriguing midfield battle, with a goal that left Burman scratching his head after the game.

“The goal was disappointing to concede, because it was a mistake on the half way line and we didn’t tackle the guy,” the Darts boss said shaking his head. And that is the perfect description as Klukowski took full advantage of the parting Darts defence and gave Smith no chance from the edge of the box.

Indeed the visitors had the chance to win the game on 83 minutes but Norwood was denied by an incredible block from Lee Burns that left Ady Pennock in the Forest Green dug out shaking his head in disbelief.

The former Welling boss on his first return to Kent since taking the Forest Green job talked to KSN after the game (the full interview will be posted on line later this week) but Pennock was full of praise for Burns’ block.

Smiling, Pennock joked, “Took me back that block – seriously though the defender did well but he shouldn’t really have been given the chance. I think that a draw was probably about right, and,” still smiling, he added, “no, there’s no truth in the rumour that I’ll be travelling down to the replay in the Dartford coach!”

Saturday also saw the publication of the magnificent new history of Dartford FC – “Princes Among Men” is available from the club at Princes Park priced £30.00.

But if you want a chance to win a signed copy, please see our competition and interview with one of the co Authors – Gary Clark – on Wednesday of this week… a terrific read for all Darts fans and fans of Kent football!

DARTFORD – Smith, Sterling, Bradbrook, Harris (Akinwade 87), Essam, Mitchel-King (Woodyard 46), Collier, Birchall, Martin, Burns, Stevenson

Subs not used – Cornhill, Vint, Dembele

FOREST GREEN – Russell, Hodgkiss, Turley, Norwood, Klukowski, Wright, Forbes, Asafu-Adjaye, Oshodi, Green (Barry 82), Alabi

Subs not used – Bangura, Taylor, Racine, McHugh

Referee – Mrs Amy Fearn
Assistants – Mr Akil Howso & Mr Christopher Francis
Fourth Official – Mr Jairo Marin