Ryan Hayes of Dartford (left) closes-down Welling's Jack Obersteller. Picture by Simon Hildrew.

by Matthew Panting

Danny Harris' second-half header earned Dartford Blue Square Bet South derby bragging rights on Monday at Princes Park.

The game was delayed by 15 minutes as the 2,559 crowd struggled to get into the ground in time for kick-off, and it seemed to have an adverse effect on an ordinary first half that saw few chances at either end.

The match opened up in the second half and Harris should have put Dartford ahead when he went past Ben Martin on 47 minutes but somehow blazed over from inside the penalty area.

Welling responded immediately with top scorer Andy Pugh denied by a last-gasp challenge and the ball being crossed for the returning Dean Cracknell, who volleyed against the bar.

Luis Cumbers and Joe Healy set up Jack Evans, whose left-foot drive from 20 yards was turned around the post at full-stretch by keeper Louis Wells.

Martin and skipper Jack Parkinson both had efforts from Jack Obersteller corners cleared off the line and Parkinson was also denied by the woodwork.

Dartford took the lead against the run of play when a Ryan Hayes corner was helped forward by and Harris nodded in from close range.

Obersteller cleared Tom Bonner's header off the line as Darts threatened to double their lead while Wells produced a stunning save to deny Obersteller at the other end.

Welling should have at least equalised in the final 15 minutes as Pugh somehow missed four good openings.

The gap between the two sides, who remain in the play-off places, has closed to two points.

Which of the two sides do you think stands a better chance of promotion? Have your say below.