By Graham Jones

Dartford assistant manager Paul Sawyer was delighted with his side’s battling qualities in the 2-1 derby defeat by Ebbsfleet at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday.

Darts played with 10 men for much of the game and nine in the later stages but were far from overrun in the Blue Square Bet South clash.

Sawyer (pictured), in charge as boss Tony Burman was absent with flu, said: "After half an hour we had got ourselves back into the game and we looked well set to go on from there.

"The second goal was a killer when Joe Bruce got caught on the wrong side of his opponent. He thought he was going to toe-poke the ball but he has held his hands up and said he didn’t and he took the man.

"But I was pleased with the way we battled in the second half. We knew we would have to be compact and keep it as tight as possible, for as long as possible and then take our chances that come along."

Substitute James White was the second Darts player to receive a red card, for a second bookable offence.

Sawyer said: "I don’t think he went in to hurt anybody. He has gone to try to take the ball on both occasions."