Ryan Hayes came off the bench to score two goals and create another as Dartford saw off Gateshead in the snow at Princes Park on Saturday.

The introduction of Hayes – who had been ill in the days leading up to the game – livened up a contest which appeared to be meandering towards a draw in the freezing conditions.

Hayes opened the scoring from close-range and bagged a spectacular second goal moments later. He then set up Bournemouth loanee Charlie Sheringham (pictured) to score on his second debut for the Darts.

Gateshead, enduring a nomadic existence in Blue Square Bet Premier, looked the more likely side to score in a largely forgettable first half. Ryan Donaldson fired a shot wide before neat build-upplay led to Josh Gillies poking an effort wide of the far post.

Jamie Chandler then had two efforts deflected behind for corners as the Heed reached the interval in good shape.

Darts skipper Elliot Bradbrook curled a shot well over after the restart but two substitutions by manager Tony Burman changed the complexion of the game.

Jason Prior, on loan from AFC Wimbledon, had already entered the fray for his second appearance in a Dartford shirt by the time Lee Noble made way for Hayes.

When Bradbrook made a strong run to the byline, his cutback was turned goalwards by Prior. The effort sparked panic in the visitors’ box and after the ball had been cleared off the line, Hayes pounced to smash the ball into the net from a couple of yards out.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0. Gateshead’s defence committed the cardinal sin of showing Hayes inside onto his left foot and he made them pay with a curling shot which flew past goalkeeper Adam Bartlett and nestled in the far corner.

Sheringham, who completed 90 minutes for the first time since fracturing his foot 14 months ago, capped his return to Princes Park with a fine goal on 86 minutes. Hayes led a counter-attack and his delightful crossfield pass allowed Sheringham to take a touch and curl the ball beyond Bartlett’s despairing dive.

The result took Dartford through the 50-point mark and surely ensures they will play in non-league’s top flight again next season. Gateshead, meanwhile, are now hovering just one point above the relegation zone.

Dartford: Bettinelli; Burns, Bonner, Arber, Green; Evans (Rogers 77mins), Champion, Bradbrook, Noble (Hayes 63mins); Harris (Prior 53mins), Sheringham. Subs not used: Rose, Erskine. Attendance: 1,020.