Goals from Freddie Ladapo and Elliott Bradbrook meant that the points were shared in Dartford and Margate’s final game of 2015.

Both sides came into the game in good runs of form; the Darts, having not lost since October, found themselves just two points out of the playoff places. On the other hand, Margate, despite being 18^th in the table had won both games since Nikki Bull took charge of the team, including an impressive win against playoff chasing Maidstone on Boxing Day. Despite this, the visitors had not been lucky away from Hartsdown Park, having not won on the road since the 21^st of November.

Both managers made changes to accommodate the busy Christmas schedule, Tony Burman made one change from his side’s 1-0 Boxing Day win at Chelmsford, this came in the form of Any Pugh, the scorer of the winning goal coming out for George Sykes. Nikki Bull made two changes to his Margate team with David Hunt and Brett Johnson taking the places of Christian Jolley and Luke Moore.

The hosts began brightest, with two minutes Ryan Hayes had curled a free kick over Chris Lewington’s crossbar and just moments later a long range effort from Lee Noble flew just wide of the target. Soon Margate came back, after capitalising on a mistake from Tom Wynter, Freddie Ladapo’s effort was blocked, allowing the ball to roll into the path of Nathan Green, who powered his shot over.

The game could only slow down after its fast paced opening ten minutes. The next opportunity fell to Margate’s Glen Wilson, whose header forced a fantastic save from Deren Ibrahim to keep the game level. Ibrahim was called into action again soon after to claim the ball after a looping header from Charlie Wassmer glided into the six yard box.

Margate were finally rewarded for their spell of pressure after 39 minutes when, after a show was blocked, the ball fell to Freddie Ladapo with his back to goal. Using his body, he was able to face his body towards goal and hit a low shot past Deren Ibrahim. This turned out to be the final chance of the half with neither team able keep possession for long enough to create a meaningful attacking effort, meaning the visitors went into half time 1-0 up.

Dartford controlled the opening of the second half and claimed their reward on 51 minutes. A cross from the right evaded everyone before falling at Ryan Hayes’ feet who put the ball in from the other wing, allowing Elliott Bradbrook to find space at the near post to force the ball in from close range.

Substitutions began to slow the pace of the game in the second half, but it was one of Margate’s introductions who nearly broke the deadlock, after bringing the ball down twenty yards from goal, Lewis Taylor hit a shot towards the near post which smashed against the top corner of the frame before the Darts hurried the ball away.

Despite both sides pushing for a winner, neither side was successful, forcing both teams to settle for a singular point. Whilst Margate continue their unbeaten run under Nikki Bull, sending them into fifteenth in the table, Dartford rise one place to sixth. The Darts will now prepare for their opening game of 2016 when Chelmsford City travel to Princes Park whilst Margate will make the short trip to Maidstone.

Dartford: Ibrahim, Gardiner, Onyemah, Vint, Wynter, Adams, Hayes, E Bradbrook, Sykes, Noble (Cogan), Harris

Subs not used: T Bradbrook, Golding, Francis, Burns

Margate: Lewington, Wilson, B Johnson (L Taylor), Hunt, Goodman, Wassmer, Wills (Jolley), M Johnson, Ladapo, Shields, N Green

Subs not used: J Taylor, D Green, Moore

Referee: Mr S Plane

Assistants: Mr P Rowley and Mr D Bonneywell

Attendance: 1,417