Dartford assistant boss Christian Jolley has heaped praise on “exceptional pro” Keiran Murtagh.

The midfielder scored the only goal of the game as Darts beat Slough on Tuesday - his first start in more than two months.

“Keiran has been an exceptional pro,” lauded Jolley. “Praise is chucked around a bit loosely sometimes but [not here].

“He’s been in the wilderness a little bit, he hasn’t been able to get in for closer to months than weeks, but he’s been brilliant.

“He’s so supportive among the group, he’s there to help his team-mates improve their performance, he never grumbles, his attitude is spot-on and he’s been patient.

“In the cup games we’ve been working him through centre-back positions to see if he can help us with cover in that aspect and on Tuesday he got his opportunity in midfield.

“He was outstanding. I’m so pleased he got his goal and was man-of-the-match so that it was recognised by everyone. He really deserves it. He’s given us more things to think about.

“I’m really pleased for him, he’s a nice guy and he really improved us.”

Murtagh lasted until the final 10 minutes before he was replaced. It was an impressive display, on and off the ball, from a player who has only been ticking over with cup football in recent weeks.

“It doesn’t matter how fit you are, unless you get to play 11 versus 11 at this level and intensity, that match fitness just vanishes,” noted Jolley.

“So, it’s credit to him that he’s looked after himself. He’s well up there as the most intelligent player in National League South, his football IQ is very high and as I said to him at the end of the game, the only way I really know that you’re tired is when your pass retention drops off.

“The last three or four interventions he had he gave the ball away, which is unlike him. He’s great to work with and I’m pleased he had a massive impact.”

Murtagh’s reaction to being left out of the squad is what the Darts want to see.

There’s been no sulking and his attitude is exactly what boss Alan Dowson will be looking for as he shuffles his pack in the run-in.

“We all handle it differently,” reflected Jolley. “You want people to be disappointed but it’s got to be handled in the right way.

“There’s people that haven’t made the squad - someone like Kristian Campbell has been brilliant, he’s done the warm-up and contributed to the evening’s success and that’s really important.

“Things change so quickly in football, something can happen in training on Thursday and you get an opportunity on Saturday.

“The boys know if you apply yourself properly throughout the week, and throughout the season, you will get an opportunity and it’s about you being ready to take it.

“We’ve got to try and keep going and find ways to beat these teams that are fighting at the other end of the table.”

Jamar Loza has returned to Barnet after his one-month loan spell at Princes Park while Tommy Block is still recovering from an injury picked up in training.

Rookie keeper Tom Wray has joined Heybridge on loan, Charlie Sheringham (ribs) is still out injured while Cameron Brodie has switched loan clubs from Margate to Ashford in a bid to get more minutes.

Luke Allen could return from injury when Dartford host play-off chasing Oxford City this Saturday but midfielder Samir Carruthers will be suspended.

On the challenge presented by Oxford, Jolley added: “They’re a fantastic footballing side and they really make you think so we’ll have to do our homework.

“We went to their place and got to the 86th minute and just fell short of getting a win.

“The boys are going to have to produce another fine display in order to get the three points. It’s going to be a big challenge.”