Dartford came from behind to earn their first point of the season in an entertaining 1-1 draw with St Albans.

The Darts had dominated vast periods of the first half but were undone after just nine minutes when Saints foward Giuseppe Iaciofano latched onto David Noble’s looped ball to finish well past keeper Mark Smith.

Norman Wabo proved to be a constant threat for Dartford adding creativity and quickness to the Darts attacking play. It was Wabo who came closest to levelling the scores, the forward so nearly capitalising on a Longe-Kine error only to be denied by an on rushing defender.

The Darts’ persistence was awarded 15 minutes into the second half as Saint’s goalkeeper Dean Snedker could only palm Adam Cunnington’s effort into the path of Luke Wanadio who thundered home to bring the darts level with 30 minutes remaining.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages but neither were to find a moment of magic. Substitute Sam Merson came closest to finding a winner, the St Albans man saw his long range effort rattle the crossbar before bouncing to safety with five minutes remaining.

An entertaining draw between two sides who will have their sights set high for this campaign with the Darts earning their first point of the season.

Dartford: Smith (GK), Wynter, Warner-Eley, Bonner, Allen, Wanadio, Greenhalgh, Hill, Cunnington (Pugh), Nasha, Wabo.

Subs not used: Oduadu, Vint, Hayes, Brodie.

Goal: Wanadio (61)

St Albans: Snedker (GK), Longe-Kine, Kaloczi, Bawling, Miles, Iaciofano (Merson), Foxley (Murell Williamson) Diedhiou, Noble (Howe), Nwabuokei, Sprague.

Subs not used: Bonfield, Donyina.

Goal: Iaciofano (9)

Attendance: 919

Referee: Lee Brennan

Assistants: Steven Rae, Toby Enstone