Boss Alan Dowson admitted the first goal was key in Dartford’s win at in-form Cheshunt last weekend.

All eyes were on the National League South leaders after recent victories over Havant and Ebbsfleet.

Dowson’s side duly delivered with an own goal, Luke Coulson and skipper Tom Bonner securing an impressive 3-1 away success against Craig Edwards’ side.

“The first goal was always important,” said Dowson.

“Cheshunt got an early penalty against Ebbsfleet when they beat them and saw it through quite well.

“They’ve been in good form so even though it was an own goal, it was massively important that we didn’t concede the first goal.

“Before kick-off, it was all about if we get the first goal then we’ll be fine but we’ll be in for a battle.

“With the rain and the wind we knew it was going to be difficult but you’ve just got to get on with it.

“Craig’s sides are always hard to break down so I was just as pleased with that win as I was with the wins over Ebbsfleet.

“We’ve been to some teams away from home this year and the pitches haven’t been great and things like that, and we’ve been beaten.

“Cheshunt won promotion last season, they’ve got a good, experienced manager who I’ve always got on with so I was delighted that we won the game and that the players adapted very well.”

Seeing Bonner’s name on the scoresheet also pleased Dowson, who believes his centre-backs are capable of reaching double figures on the goal charts.

He added: “They’ve been outstanding for me but they don’t score enough goals. I had centre-backs at Hampton and Woking that scored 10 or 12 goals a season. My two centre-halves here are excellent and have been brilliant.

“But my only criticism is that we put some excellent balls into the box and we’ve got to score more goals - I’ve told them that. They’ve scored two in the last two games so everybody is joining in now.”