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Dartford put up one of their most spirited performances in recent seasons but were unable to get anything out of Saturday's match at Spalding as the home side went to the top of the league table.

In the opening five minutes, the Darts task seemed almost insurmountable as in the second minute of the game, the referee penalised Steve Williams for handling the ball outside of his penalty area and the Dartford goalkeeper was shown the red card and sent off the pitch.

Midfielder, Simon Roberts took over the role as goalkeeper and within three minutes, Dartford fell behind to a shot from Gary Walters from ten yards out.

After this dual setback, the Darts managed to reorganise and the ten men more than matched their eleven opponents. With Chris Arnold playing as a lone striker, Dartford's players were very effective in protecting their stand in goalkeeper and Roberts was rarely called into action.

In fact, in the last five minutes of the half, Dartford had two opportunities to level the scores. First Lee Guiver curled a shot just outside of an upright from the edge of the penalty area and right on half time, Nick Barnes fired just over the bar from twenty yards out after Arnold had done well to hold off a defender to chest the ball down to him.

In the second half, Dartford, despite being a man short, continued to look for an equaliser and Dave Scott headed just wide following an inswinging corner from Barnes.

In the last twenty minutes, the home side did manage to open up the Darts defence but Roberts managed to fist away a shot from Gilbert after 74 minutes. In the 80th minute, a long ball from Tom Adlington found Shane Holbrook and following his shot, the home goalkeeper, Kevin Cross, managed to hold the ball at the second attempt.

Dartford: Williams, Adlington, Scott, Pointer, P. Johns, Roberts, Barnes (Wilson 81mins), Guiver, Arnold, Jones and Holbrook. Subs not used: Cole and A. Morrish.

Attendance 271.