Three games in six days proved a bridge too far for Dartford as they played out an uninspiring goalless draw against Braintree on Thursday night.

Their Essex visitors had also been in action just 48 hours earlier and although both sides worked hard, there were very few moments of real quality at Princes Park.

Darts boss Tony Burman made six changes from the side which started Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Grimsby. Tom Champion replaced Mark Arber in central defence and there were midfield roles for Ryan Hayes, Richard Rose and Lee Noble. Danny Harris partnered Jason Prior in attack.

Chances were at a premium in the first period. Braintree’s James Mulley cut in from the left and fired a shot wide before Lee Noble had an effort held by Nathan McDonald at the other end.

Ben Wright then crashed a shot high over the crossbar when he should have done better.

Things improved slightly after the break, but not much. Matt Paine and Luke Daley both had efforts cleared off the line by Darts defenders but on-loan goalkeeper Csaba Somogyi didn’t make a single save all game.

Harris had a muted penalty appeal waved away after he tumbled under McDonald’s challenge. Elliot Bradbrook then drove forward from midfield and laid the ball to substitute Charlie Sheringham, whose low shot brushed the far post on its way wide.

The home side almost won the game in stoppage-time when Ryan Hayes planted a shot just wide, but neither team deserved to take maxiumum points.

Burman said: “I think it was there for the taking for either side but it wasn’t to be. Having said that, on a positive note, we haven’t lost and we haven’t conceded.

“I felt we deserved something on Tuesday night against Grimsby and we didn’t get it. Against Braintree we deserved something and it was probably a fair result.

“We’ve got 60 points and I’d have had that at the start of the season, that’s for sure. I’m well pleased because it’s been a super effort.”

Now eighth in Blue Square Bet Premier, Dartford’s relentless schedule continues on Saturday when they travel to relegation-threatened Stockport County.