There was drama in the final minute of injury time as Dartford were held by Hungerford Town.

Connor Essam’s header was cleared off the line by a combination of goalkeeper Luke Cairney and a defender with the Dartford players screaming for a goal. The Assistant Referee, though, was perfectly placed and kept his flag down so Dartford had to settle for a point.

Moments earlier, Luke Allen had been presented with a great chance when Curtis Angell’s clearance hit a fellow defender and fell into the path of Allen with just Cairney to beat but the Crusaders’ goalkeeper was able to make a fingertip save and it went for a corner.

Starting the quicker, Hungerford had the first goal attempt when Rhys Tyler’s shot from a wide angle was turned round the post by debutant goalkeeper Dan Wilks. Ryan Seager then twisted and turned before shooting but he didn’t connect cleanly and it went wide.

Nassim L’Ghoul caused problems down Dartford’s left wing and his deep cross was collected by Jake Jebb but his chip back in was too heavy and was collected by Cairney.

Jake Evans shot well over from twenty five yards before Dartford had their best chance of the first half when L’Ghoul picked out Femi Akinwande but his header back went just wide of the far post with Cairney an onlooker.

Seager hit a low shot towards the far post for the visitors but Wilks got down well to save then, at the other end, L’Ghoul cut-in but shot harmlessly wide. Akinwande then drove fiercely across from the left but Cairney did well to claim as Charlie Sheringham closed in.

Five first half minutes remained when Hungerford went ahead. Craig Fasanmade was sent away down the left hand side and he squeezed it home between Wilks’ legs.

Early in the second half, Jebb sent in a deep free kick that Tom Bonner met with a well directed header towards the top corner but Cairney flew across his goal to turn it round for a corner.

Jebb fired well over from a good thirty yards before another free kick by him brought about the leveller. His delivery picked out Josh Hill whose header flew inside the far corner.

David Ijaha then created an opportunity for Sheringham but he didn’t connect cleanly and the chance was gone but he did better soon after with a shot that Cairney could only beat out. Substiture Chris Dickson followed up but Keith Emmerson made a great block.

Cairney did well once more to claim a Sheringham driven cross shot before the excitement of the four additional minutes.

Although, they had to settle for a point, Dartford extended their lead at the top of the Vanarama National League South as neither Dorking Wanderers nor St Albans City were in action.

Dartford: Wilks, Wynter (Brodie 44), Bonner, Ijaha, Hill, Essam, L’Ghoul (Marsh-Brown 88), Allen, Sheringham, Akinwande (Dickson 57), Jebb. Subs not used: Carvalho, Barham.

Goalscorers: Hill 56

Yellow cards: Hill, Ijaha

Red cards: None

Hungerford Town: Cairney, Tyler, Angell, Partridge, Emmerson, Rusby, Burley, Willmoth (McGrory 88), Seager, Evans (Bayley 81), Fasanmade (Diaz 76). Subs not used: Harding, Edwards.

Goalscorers: Fasanmade (40)

Yellow cards: Rusby, Partridge

Red cards: None

Referee: Alex Blake

Assistants: Harry Wager and Aaron Conn

Images courtesy of Keith Gillard