Dartford captain Elliot Bradbrook is feeling the benefit of a system which is allowing him to stamp his authority on games again.

Bradbrook has looked far more effective since Darts boss Tony Burman switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with his skipper as one of the two deeper midfielders.

Now approaching 300 appearances for the club, Bradbrook scored his 81st Dartford goal in the 1-1 draw with Maidstone last Saturday.

He said: "I’m enjoying the way we’re playing at the moment. It suits me because I’m nearly 31.

"But it’s not just us getting older, it’s how other teams play. Very rarely any more do people play 4-4-2, most teams crowd out the midfield.

"If you’re playing two in there, like we have been doing, it is difficult to get around. Teams have got one or two more players inside you and it’s difficult to get on top of games.

"That’s where the game’s won, in the middle of the park and if you’re outnumbered in there it becomes difficult. The system’s got to adapt.

"I know what my job is. I’m that workmanlike player in midfield, I try to win the ball back, play it to the people who can play football and get in the box to score a goal.

"I’ve always been a naturally defensive player. That’s where I spent my early career.

"You’ve got to adapt to different formations and it does help when there’s three of you in there. You can switch and change, you can make runs forward and you know there’s cover behind you."

Read the full story in the Dartford Messenger.