Dartford manager Alan Dowson admitted it was all about the result after his team beat Tonbridge on Saturday.

The Darts ended a run of four straight defeats with a narrow 1-0 win in National League South, although the margin of victory would have been greater had they converted some excellent opportunities in front of goal.

“We needed it,” said Dowson. “We worked very hard. We needed three points to lift the gloom from what’s on the club.

“I thought first half we played some good stuff. We had a couple of half-chances and in the second half we had chances to score. We’re not flying, we know that.

“I put an extra man in midfield for the last five minutes but we needed a win and however we got it, it didn’t matter. We’ll improve as time goes on but it was all about three points.

“I thought the crowd were excellent and I really appreciated it. There’s a lot of pressure around the place and on me, I suppose, so I needed to get a result and (move) up the table.

“It’s alright me saying we’ll do that. We started the game well, we were sloppy at times but it was a good three points.”

Dartford’s start to the season reflects the first campaign under Dowson in many ways.

They’ve been slow to get going and were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. Now the Dartford boss hopes they can go on an impressive run in the league again, just like they did last term.

“We’ve had a disappointing start to the season,” admitted Dowson. “We changed the formation to 4-4-2 and we started the game well.

“It’s a big win. We did the same last year, we lost in the FA Cup and went on a 10-game run so we’re hoping to do the same this year.

“We want the players to work hard for the club, getting knocked out of the FA Cup was a big thing for a lot of people. It should mean a lot to them. We said they’re not just doing it for themselves but for the club and people around it.

“Is it perfect at the minute? No, it hasn’t been. We needed that win and if we can go on a run now and win a few games then we’ll be fine.”

Dowson felt Tyrell Miller-Rodney epitomised the endeavour he wants to see in his side and he also had praise for the returning Brandon Barzey, who adds an extra dimension to Dartford in attack.

“I thought Tyrell covered every blade of grass, he has been playing out of position due to injuries but he was in that midfield that he likes and where he was excellent for Hampton and Havant,” said Dowson.

“I thought he did really well and was our best player. With hindsight, last week I gave him a rest, so I’ll get it wrong sometimes.

“We haven’t been the same exciting-wise going forward since Barzey’s been away. We needed him back in the team.

Report: Dartford 1-0 Tonbridge

“He got himself sent-off and then he gave a goal away against Farnborough so he hasn’t quite got going yet. He’s an exciting player and I like exciting wingers who can go past people and excite the crowd.”

Dartford will play a friendly against Gillingham B at Priestfield on Tuesday night, with Tommy Block and Max Statham both expected to feature on their return from injury.