Dartford are still looking for their first point of the season after missed opportunities cost them dearly at Macclesfield on Saturday.

A Tom Champion own goal sent the Darts into half-time 1-0 down and when Mark Arber handled a minute from time, Charlie Henry scored from the penalty spot to rubber-stamp the result and inflict a third successive defeat on boss Tony Burman, right.

The loss leaves Dartford second-bottom in Blue Square Bet Premier, but there were positive signs during the first half at Moss Rose.

Playing on the counter-attack, the visitors had several good chances to go ahead. Champion sent Harry Crawford clear, but his shot was saved by former Gillingham and Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Lance Cronin. Twice more the ball fell to Crawford in promising positions, but on neither occasion did he hit the target.

Injury to Louis Wells had forced Darts boss Tony Burman to bring in a replacement goalkeeper. Fulham academy product Marcus Bettinelli joined the travelling party after agreeing a one-month loan deal, but the 20-year-old was beaten on 34 minutes when Champion planted a firm header into his own net.

Macclesfield dominated proceedings after the restart and Matthew Barnes-Homer saw his effort hit the post before Jack Mackreth was denied by the crossbar.

The Darts were unable to capitalise on these let-offs and Henry’s late penalty ensured they would leave the north-west empty-handed.