Dartford have been told to get back to basics after conceding eight goals in their last two games.

Tony Burman’s side lost 3-1 at Truro on Saturday having suffered a 5-1 defeat to Swindon in the FA Cup six days earlier.

They’ve been knocked off the top of National League South by Braintree and Burman is determined to be tighter defensively in back-to-back home games over the next few days.

Dartford host Gloucester on Saturday and Wealdstone on Tuesday.

Burman said: “Whether people like it or not, we’ve got to get back to basics in respect of how we play and trying to win games.

“If that means grinding it out, so be it. We all want to play football and do it to the best of our ability but you have to be solid and organised and stop conceding goals.

“That’s what we’ve got to get back to and the squad of players I’ve got realise that. They know what’s needed and we’ll hopefully put that right in the next few games.”

Bad starts have cost the Darts in their last two outings. They were 3-0 down to Truro after just 19 minutes and conceded all five Swindon goals by the 50-minute mark.

Burman said: “To be fair, our defenders have been excellent (previously) because they’ve done the basic things that defenders should do.

“They’ve been a little bit hesitant in the last couple of games and we’ve been punished for it.

“It’s such a thin dividing line but they’ve got to get back on track and I’ve got no doubt they will.”

He added: “I don’t want to rely on other results but they went in our favour on Saturday. I, and the team, want to be in top position and it’s all to play for up there.

“It’s not the end of the world but it’s disappointing that we’ve lost two games on the trot.”

Elliot Bradbrook was unavailable on Saturday but he returns to face Gloucester, while Lee Noble has recovered from an ankle problem.

Andy Pugh completes his three-match ban while Duane Ofori-Acheampong (knee) is still not ready to play although he will train tonight (Thursday).

Gloucester, who moved across from National League North in the summer, are 16th with 22 points from their 17 games.

Burman said: “There doesn’t seem to be too much of a gap between anybody in the league at the moment.

“They’re new opponents for us and I know a little bit about them but we’ve got to concentrate on what we do. We’ve got to keep ourselves organised and create chances.”

Darts have been drawn away to Brentwood Town in the FA Trophy third qualifying round. They travel to the Bostik North side on Saturday, November 25.