Dartford boss Tony Burman hailed his team’s defending after they shut out free-scoring Whitehawk to claim an impressive win at the Enclosed Ground.

Andy Pugh’s first-half strike settled matters in Brighton, where the home side had exited the FA Cup three days earlier after an extra-time defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge of League 2.

It was a third straight win for Dartford and it lifted them to seventh in National League South on a day when five of the division’s top-six clubs lost.

Burman said: "It’s the first time I’ve been to Whitehawk and the slope there is amazing. That’s what hits you first of all. We lost the toss, went down the slope in the first half and could have come in two or three goals up.

"In the second half we knew it was going to be tough, going uphill, but we defended very well and had enough chances on the break.

"I thought we thoroughly deserved the win. Deren Ibrahim hasn’t had a save to make against one of the top-scoring teams in this league.

"It’s another very important result. We’ve started December really well and we’ve spoken about getting to the end of February still being involved (in the play-off race).

"That’s what it’s going to be about and it’s nice with what we’re doing so far.

"It’s always nice to get three points at a really difficult place like Whitehawk."