An enthralling derby was decided by a spectacular Alfie Pavey flying 20 yard volley as Dartford claimed a 3-2 win at Welling United.
Having seen themselves hauled back from a two goal lead, Dartford looked set to lose their place at the league’s summit until substitute Pavey intervened.
They got off to the best possible start when, in the third minute, Ryan Hayes found space down the right hand side to cross for Andy Pugh to side foot home.
Pugh might have made it two but headed wide from another Hayes cross before Welling dragged their way into the game.
Elliott Romain headed down to Bradley Goldberg whose low drive went wide with Deren Ibrahim a spectator.
Ibrahim was more than a mere observer minutes later when making an outstanding save. Elliott found Christian Nanetti who cut across before feeding Olumide Durojaiye but his low drive was kept out at the bottom corner by Ibrahim at full stretch.
Nanetti caused further trouble with a low drive from wide that was deflected by Tom Bonner onto the post and out.
There was then a big shout for a Welling penalty when Nanetti appeared to be tumbled in the box by Hayes but referee Jack Packman was unimpressed and waved play on.
Just before the interval, Nanetti caused further mayhem with a cross that was met first time by Goldberg but Ibrahim made a great reaction save at point blank from his volley.
That proved to be Goldberg’s last contribution as a strain caused him to be replaced at the break by Tom Bradbrook.
Former Darts striker almost had an immediate impact when getting in behind the Darts defence but his well struck shot was well saved by Ibrahim.
Tom Murphy had a shot blocked by Ian Gayle then Pugh had a shot deflected into the air that came down onto the roof of the net.
In their next attack, Dartford doubled their lead. Hayes drove towards the far post and Pugh finished in off the bar.
Danny Mills came close to making it three when his drive hit the bar, came down onto the line and came out.
Connor Dymond made a brilliant header over his own bar from Elliot Bradbrook before Pugh hooked wide when given space in the area from Nathan Collier’s cross.
After that, Welling started to get some attacking momentum going and Gayle fired over from close range after Ibrahim pushed out Callum Driver’s deflected shot.
Jeffrey Monakana then found Dymond but his shot was deflected before Welling reduced the arrears. A foul by Dartford’s Bradbrook presented Welling with an opportunity that Driver took with a superb free kick into the top corner.
Three minutes remained when Welling levelled. Again Bradbrook transgressed, this time fouling brother Tom in the penalty area. Although Ibrahim went the right way, Monakana’s conversion was too accurate and strong.
However, Welling’s joy was short lived and Pavey’s goal, described by manager Tony Burman as one of the best goals he has ever seen, put the Darts back ahead.
Even then, Welling were almost able to claim a point. Driver slung in a free kick that a defender headed across his own area and Dymond rose highest but his header hit the post and went wide.
Welling United: Sandford, Driver, Jefford, Durojaiye, Gayle, Parkinson, Monakana, Dymond, Romain, Goldberg (Bradbrook 46), Nanetti.
Subs not used: Jebb, Francis, Phipps, Johnson.
Dartford: Ibrahim, Harris, Onyemah, Bonner, Vint, Collier, Hayes (Della-Verde 67), Bradbrook, Mills (Sho-Silva 90), Pugh, Murphy (Pavey 76).
Subs not used: Brown, Coxall.
Welling United:
Goalscorers: Driver (77), Monakana pen (87)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Dartford:
Goalscorers: Pugh (3) & (55), Pavey (90)
Yellow cards: Onyemah, Della-Verde, Pavey, Ibrahim, Mills
Red cards: None
Referee: Jack Packman
Assistants: Kane Dempster and Karl Sear
Attendance: 1,401
Man of the match: Ronnie Vint
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.