A Dartford fan accused of racial abuse should be banned for life if allegations are proven, says manager Alan Dowson.

Darts are investigating the incident which happened during added time of Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Eastbourne Borough.

A visiting player had to be held back by team-mates as he went into the stand to confront a home supporter over the comment.

Eastbourne manager Danny Bloor threatened to take his team off but play eventually resumed after a lengthy delay and discussions with referee Daniel Lamport.

“I don’t know what happened, I can’t hear from where I am,” said Dowson.

“Somebody said it was racist, somebody said it wasn’t, I don’t know.

“Everybody piles in and says he said that or he said that but there’s cameras up there, so somebody should get it.

“If it was a racist comment, he should be barred for life, shouldn’t he?”

“We don’t know what it is, nobody’s got any proof at the moment, only word against word.

“It would have been ridiculous to cancel the game.

• Report: Dartford 2-1 Eastbourne

“It had nothing to do with on the pitch, so we’ve just got to get on with it.

“Danny’s a fair bloke. I would have played on because what happens on the terraces shouldn’t have anything to do with what happens on the pitch.

“That’s the way I look at it but it’s nothing to do with me, I’d rather talk about the football.”

Dartford moved into the National South play-off places after a third successive league victory.

Samir Carruthers and Luke Allen struck as Darts came from a goal down to move up to seventh place.

“It was a hard-fought game, I’m glad to win it,” said Dowson after Darts backed up Saturday’s 2-1 success against his old club Hampton with another home victory.

“We’ve won three on the spin in the league and if we can win on Saturday (at home to Hungerford) that’ll be four on the spin.

“It shows a bit of character to come from a goal down but we’re just pleased to win and we’re pleased with the two home wins.”

Dartford have released a statement condemning the alleged abuse and apologising to Eastbourne.

The statement, issued on behalf of the board, said: "We are aware of an incident close to the end of Tuesday’s fixture in which wholly unacceptable and disgusting comments are said to have been made to an Eastbourne player.

"Stewards and a number of our own supporters quickly intervened, and the offender was removed from the stadium.

"Dartford FC prides itself on being a community club wholly committed to eradicating all forms of discrimination and we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach of racism.

“We welcome many thousands of decent and friendly supporters to Princes Park every season and it is a stain on the whole game when incidents such as this occur.

“Individuals such as this have no place in the game and certainly not at Princes Park.

“We passed on our heartfelt apologies to the player and all our good friends at Eastbourne Borough FC. Both clubs are united in football and our commitment to equality."