Manager Ady Pennock may be forced to take explosive action if Dartford’s habit of making slow starts continues.

The out-of-form Darts return to Isthmian Premier action at home to Cray Valley on Saturday before Tuesday’s trip to Potters Bar - on Bonfire Night.

Dartford ended a six-game winless run, losing five of those matches, having conceded four times in the first 20 minutes, with a 1-0 Velocity Cup victory at Erith Town on Tuesday. Playmaker Samir Carruthers scored from a free-kick early on.

Speaking before the Erith Town win, Pennock said: “We have Guy Fawkes Night coming up. If I need to put a rocket up their backsides, I will!

“It’s frustrating because we can see the fitness levels of the players. They go right to the very end. It’s just those 20 minutes or so that are costing us at the moment.

“So, that’s what I’ll do if I need to - although I don’t think health and safety will be best pleased if it comes to that!”

Pennock thinks mid-table Dartford are not far from turning a corner - provided they can cut out the slow starts - as they look to return to form after a fixture-free weekend.

“It’s a tough run that we’re on so it’s been a good time to rest and get things sorted out,” said Pennock. “We have got a busy week ahead.

“We’re not having the best of runs but, performance-wise, we’re just giving teams 20 minutes in virtually every single game. We’re giving teams a lot of goals.

“Apart from those periods, we’re on top in a lot of these games.

“We have looked into our warm-ups and, hopefully, it will change very soon.”

While the Darts find themselves at the wrong end of the table, there is plenty of football to be played this term.

Pennock said: “Everyone knows what happened in the summer, where we had to put together a whole new squad.

“It’s not a lack of effort from the players and we’re not too far away from being a very good side.

“Football can change very quickly. You can be on a winning run and think you have cracked it, and then lose a few games.

"You can also be on a bad run, where you’re wondering where your next point is going to come from, and then start winning.

“I think it’ll be the latter for us, the luck will change. We have had a player (Jeremiah Pinder) sent off [in the goalless draw with Hendon] - and that was a mistake because we successfully appealed against it.

“We have had other decisions not go for us so we have had a lot of bad luck.

“It’s important to stick together.

"There’s a togetherness in the squad and from above. There’s still 32 games to go in the league this season.

"I’m confident enough we can turn it around.”

While Dartford - again - were slow starters last time out at home against Wingate & Finchley, being 3-0 down after 21 minutes, the game saw dual-registered Hornchurch striker Ade Yusuff net his first goal for the club in a 3-2 loss.

Pennock noted: “Ade has settled in well.

"Obviously, we’re managing him because he has come through an injury. He has been great in the changing room where he’s a leader.

“On the pitch, you can see he’s getting better. That’s a positive that has come out of the last couple of weeks since he has been with us.

“He’s working hard. He’s very hungry to get back to where he was. If we can get him back to where he was, that will only benefit us.”

Also converting off the substitutes’ bench against Wingate & Finchley was youngster Olly Box.

“Olly has had his problems but he scored a lovely goal against Wingate,” noted Pennock.

“Hopefully, he will be back to his best because everyone knows what I think of Olly.”

As Dartford look to turn a corner, a derby against Steve McKimm’s high-flying Cray Valley side, who the Darts beat 2-1 on the opening day of the season, could be the perfect match for them.

Pennock said: “I hope so because we want to win it for the supporters.

“I think the supporters, generally, can see the players are putting the effort in. I speak to them after games, they know that we’re not too far away.

“But everyone connected with the club knows those first 20 minutes or so are very important.

“Cray Valley, they’re a very tough side to play against.

“Obviously, we have already gone to their place and beaten them at the start of the season. Macca (McKimm) is a good friend.

“He will be up for it on Saturday - but so will we.”

Attacking midfielder Nelson Ajayi made his debut for the Darts in midweek at Erith Town after joining on non-contract terms.

Dartford’s Isthmian Premier trip to Horsham, scheduled for November 16, has been rearranged for Tuesday, December 17.

Young defender Mert Apat has left the club.