Dartford's Tony Burman may have set a precedent in asking that his August manager-of-the-month award be presented after, rather than before, Dartford’s home game against Hendon last Saturday.

All recipients, from the Premier League downwards, have long come to regard the accolade as a poisoned chalice as defeat immediately tends to follow the manager on whom the award is bestowed.

Burman afterwards claimed his decision served the best interests of the club, who beat Hendon 5-0 to move five points clear at the top of the Ryman League Premier Division.

"I don’t know if other winners have asked to receive the award after a match but, given the chance, I would ask for the same again," he said.

Burman may have questioned his judgement after Darts missed an early penalty before the side emerged overwhelming winners.

Jay May created the desired impact by scoring twice after arriving as a 74th-minute substitute and fellow substitute Lee Noble got his name on the scoresheet, too.

"I would have liked to have given John Beales a run-out," said Burman, "but I didn’t think it would be right to change the defence."

Burman saluted the club’s supporters for another attendance in excess of 1,000, way above the divisional average.

Dartford turn their attention to the FA Cup and a first qualifying round tie at Chipstead this Saturday. At stake for the winners is £3,000 in FA prize money.