Another enthralling game between Dartford and Welling United ended with victory for the Vanarama National South league leaders.

Victory for Dartford kept them two points clear at the top. However, defeat for Welling saw them drop eight points away from the play-offs.

Jamie Coyle and Tom Bradbrook were both off target as the Wings started brightly before Danny Mills gave Ryan Sandford an easy save from a header.

Slightly against the run of play, Dartford went ahead when Andy Pugh sent Ryan Hayes clear and his shot sneaked in between Ryan Sandford and the near post.

Elliot Romain had a near post shot beaten out by Deren Ibrahim after good work by Joe Healy before equalising for the Wings. Christian Nanetti’s cross was perfect for Romain to leap and head home.

Pugh then brought a great save out of Sandford when he met Hayes’ cross with a powerful header before the former Wing scored his third in two games against his one time employers. Hayes sent Danny Harris clear on the overlap and he pulled back for Pugh to finish.

Harris was again set free down the right wing but this time put in a high cross that Pugh headed wide.

Ronnie Vint made a brave block from Connor Dymond to ensure Dartford went in ahead at half time.

Early in the second period Nanetti found Healy but Ibrahim made a brilliant diving save to tip over.

It was then Dartford’s turn to create an opportunity. Hayes and Harris again combined to put Mills in behind but Sandford was out quickly to save at his feet.

Tom Bradbrook got clear to round Ibrahim and square for Romain but the Dartford defence covered well and the striker on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge was crowded out from shooting.

Both teams had half chances before Pugh found Tom Murphy whose shot was saved comfortably by Sandford.

Momentum was likely to go with the team who scored the next goal and Dartford manager Tony Burmam introduced Alfie Pavey to replace Mills.

Within six minutes, the move had paid off. Elliott Bradbrook met Hayes’ cross with a header that came back off the post and Pavey was the most alert player in the box and he stole in to head home.

Five minutes later, he ensured that the points would be Dartford’s when converting Pugh’s cross with a shot that Sandford could only half stop before it rolled into the net.

To their credit, Welling fought to the end and Romain came close with a volley that went just wide after his skill had created the chance for himself.

 

Dartford: Ibrahim, Harris, Onyemah, Bonner, Vint, Collier, Hayes (Della-Verde 83), Bradbrook, Mills (Pavey 66), Pugh (Ofori-Acheampong 80), Murphy.

Subs not used: Sho-Silva, Coxall.

 

Welling United: Sandford, Driver, Jefford (Durojaiye 78), Dymond, Coyle, Parkinson, Monakana (Jebb 85), Healy, Romain, Bradbrook, Nanetti (Goldberg 69).

Subs not used: Francis, Phipps.

 

Dartford:

Goalscorers: Hayes (18), Pugh (38), Pavey (72) & (77)

Yellow cards: Bonner

Red cards: None

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Romain (23)

Yellow cards: Jefford, Romain

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Will Finnie

Assistants: Ivan Gelov and Craig Kissi

 

Attendance: 1,640

 

Man of the match: Danny Harris

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.