As leading scorer Lee Burns took his tally for the season to an impressive eight goals in six games with Monday’s 2-0 win at Hornchurch, manager Tony Burman confessed that the early return had been a bonus.

Left with the unenviable task of replacing free-scoring Cody McDonald following his sale to Norwich, Burman looks to have unearthed another gem with the form of Burns, whose goals are helping Darts set the pace in the Ryman League Premier Division.

Signed from Braintree on the understanding that he would be used as a utility player, Burns expressed a preference for a midfield role, although he can play at right-back, midfield and up front.

With injuries sidelining strikers Jay May and Allan Tait, up stepped Burns to fill the role.

Burman said: "His goalscoring has been a big bonus. When I signed him I made it clear that I regarded him as a utility player. But because of injuries, I played him up front against Margate.

"He scored twice and hasn’t looked back since. He and Rob Haworth have hit it off and Lee will take some shifting from attack."