Dartford 1-1 Harlow Town - May's return is a big bonus for us, says Burman

After picking up just ten points from their last ten games, the Darts boss conceded, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, that his side really needed the three points on offer.

He said: “I’ve got to be honest, when losing the two players before half-time, I really thought that I’d personally hit rock bottom and that everything was going against us as a team.

“We had a lack of confidence and we really weren’t playing well.”

Coming into the game with successive defeats, Burman’s side really did need to start well, but it was the visitors that took the lead after fifteen minutes.

Jamie Coyle fouled striker Chris Ellerbeck and from fully 30-yards, full-back Mark Taylor produced a stunning free-kick (similar to a goal that he scored against Maidstone United at Bourne Park earlier in the season), which flew into Andrew Young’s net.

Burman bemoaned later, “We were warned what he could do, but what a great free-kick!

"Obviously I’m disappointed to concede such a goal, considering we spoke about it before hand (Taylor’s ability from dead ball situations).”

The Darts were nearly further behind on 23 minutes when Ton Bruno’s shot seemed to die in front of Young and the goalkeeper did well to hold on an awkward skidding ball.

The visitors’ then missed a golden opportunity to double their lead, as the Darts struggled to get into the game.

On 32 minutes, John Frendo’s vicious shot was only partially parried by Young and following up, Jamie Richards fired into the ground and the ball rebounded and bounced over the Dartford crossbar.

Six minutes from half-time, the Darts drew level, against the run of play.

It was a long free kick from Jamie Day into the Harlow penalty area and May rose above everybody to head the ball into an unguarded net.

Within a minute, May almost turned provider, but Steve Butterworth, it was, whose header was blocked on the line after the substitute (on for Rob Haworth) had caused chaos in the box.

The Darts started brightly after the break and Danny Dafter and then substitute Craig Carley both saw shots miss the target.

With eighteen minutes remaining, another May flick found Bradley Woods-Garness, who drew a brave save from the Harlow goalkeeper James Hasell.

Despite enjoying the bulk of the possession, the Darts were still struggling in front of goal and on 78 minutes, after a patient build up, Bruno hit the bar from 30-yards, with a thunderous shot, which left Young rooted.

Three minutes later, Bruno, again, brought the very best out of Young, with a fine low save, after the midfielder had threatened.

In stoppage time, the Darts almost nicked the three points, but Carley’s driven cross ricochet off of Laurie Stewart before thundering in to the side netting.

Afterwards, Burman admitted that his side had won a lifeline, saying, “Although we weren’t on top in the first half, you could tell is really wasn’t happening for us.

“Jay’s return (from Ramsgate) is obviously a big bonus for us and I wanted a squad with four strikers to give me options.

“I can confirm that despite losing Rob Haworth (through injury) tonight, I have no option to recall Brendon Cass from East Thurrock as the loan period must last 28 days.

"The only good thing to come out from tonight is that we’ve reached 50 points for the season and stopped a run of consecutive defeats.”

With a Kent derby against Tonbridge Angels to come at Princes Park on Saturday, even the most ardent Dartford fan will admit that their heroes are in danger of being left behind in the play-off race.

Saturday, all of a sudden, becomes so much more important.

Dartford: Andrew Young, Tommy Osborne, Adam Gross, Adam Flanagan, Jamie Coyle, Danny Dafter, Steve Butterworth (Hussein Isa 72), Jamie Day, Rob Haworth (Jay May 34), Bradley Woods-Garness, Lee Noble (Craig Carley 13).
Subs: John Guest, Deren Ibrahim.

Goal: Jay May 39

Booked: Danny Dafter 56

Harlow Town: James Hasell, Mark Taylor (Jordan Fowler 88), Michael Bardle, Danny Wolf, Paul Kear, Tom Bruno, Laurie Stewart, Jon Stevenson, Jamie Richards, Chris Ellerbeck (Shaun Glidden 82), John Frendo (Ricci Crace 61).
Sub: Ben Stone.

Goal: Mark Taylor 15

Booked: Jamie Richards 67, Jon Stevenson 78

Attendance: 828
Referee: Mr Stuart Butler (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr Simon Finnigan (Maidstone) & (Tunbridge Wells)