Dartford’s survival hopes were dealt a monumental blow on Tuesday, as visitors Worthing came from behind to snatch all three points. Despite a spirited first half performance from the Darts, they were unable to respond to two fortunate Worthing goals in the second.

Dartford started on the front foot, with Olly Box fashioning an early chance for himself after robbing Finlay Chadwick of possession in midfield. He drove at the Rebels’ backline with intent, but saw his tame shot saved comfortably by Ollie Wright.

It wasn’t long before Ollie Pearce, the National League South top scorer, got involved on the night. Pearce crafted a number of early chances for Joseph Felix and Danny Cashman, but both were dealt with by Joash Nembhard and Rhys Byrne respectively.

Ultimately, Dartford rewarded their early pressure with the opening goal. Box regained possession near the byline after a sliced clearance and was brought down by Dylan Fage, giving referee Shelby Elson reason to point to the spot. Captain Luke Coulson stepped up and made no mistake from twelve yards as he dispatched the ball into the bottom right corner.

The Darts were not yet content, however, and continued searching for a goal to consolidate their lead. Nembhard’s header back across goal from a corner was caught comfortably by Wright, as was a hopeful left-footed Luke Allen shot from the edge of the box.

Worthing’s late pressure at the end of the first half continued well into the second. They found an equaliser just four minutes into the half, as Bradley Dolaghan’s cross-cum-shot sailed into the back of the net, beating Byrne at his far post.

Ady Pennock’s side still searched for a goal to restore their lead. Some trickery from Coulson allowed him to fizz a ball across the face of goal, but his delivery was agonisingly ahead of the looming Alex Wall.

Leyton Orient loanee Harrison Sodje ran from his own half and skipped into the Worthing box, with his resulting shot from a tight angle forcing Wright to parry the ball out of play for a corner. Alas, Coulson’s delivery could only find the gloves of the Rebels’ shot stopper.

Dartford were once again made to rue their missed chances, as Worthing took the lead. Nembhard misjudged Felix’s cross, allowing Kane Wills to latch onto the delivery and slot the ball past Byrne. Delight for the travelling fans, and an all too familiar sigh of despair for the home contingent of the 981 in attendance.

Wright opened the door for the Darts to pile late pressure onto the visitors, with a collection of passes out of play. Their last chance came through Box, who looked to pick out Jordan Greenidge in the box, but only found Wright’s clutches at the near post.

Survival is now an almost impossible feat for the Darts, with an away trip to champions elect Yeovil on Saturday, and Eastbourne still possessing a game in hand.

Dartford: Byrne, Wynter, Nembhard, Nelson, Sodje, Rooney, Allen (Shomotun 80’), Smith, Box, Wall, Coulson (Greenidge 89’)

Subs not used: Miller-Rodney, Statham, Maloney

Yellow: Allen, Coulson, Sodje

Worthing: Wright, Colbran, Young, Rye, Felix, Fage, Wills, Chadwick (Spong 81’), Dolaghan (Luer 89’), Cashman (Chambers 71’), Pearce

Subs not used: Tutt, Tillman

Attendance: 981

Referee: Shelby Elson

Assistants: James Keane & Deryll David