Ryan Hayes came to Dartford's rescue yet again by scoring two goals in a pulsating draw with high-flying Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

On a quagmire of a pitch at Princes Park, the Darts trailed twice but talismanic winger Hayes scored direct from a corner and then brilliantly from a free-kick to earn them a point.

Tony Burman's side had lost nine of their previous 10 league games but this performance proved they are still fighting for survival in the Vanarama Conference.

Jermaine Easter made his full debut for the visitors but he lasted only eight minutes before limping off injured.

However, it was Rovers doing all the early pressing and Dartford having to stand firm in defence.

The home side might have taken the lead against the run of play, though, when they found themselves two-on-one on the edge of the Gas box. Harry Crawford could have played in strike partner Christian Doidge but he opted to shoot himself and it proved to be the wrong choice as his effort deflected tamely into the arms of goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall.

That bad decision was followed by another at the other end as Rovers took a 28th-minute lead.

Rory McAuley tried to trap a long through-ball but the ball ran under his foot and into the path of leading scorer Matty Taylor, who coolly slid the ball beyond Jason Brown for his 11th league goal of the season.

Crucially, though, the Darts only trailed for four minutes.

They equalised in bizarre fashion, Hayes swinging over a corner from the right and Mildenhall getting his positioning all wrong before punching the ball into the roof of the net.

Remarkably, it was the third time Hayes had scored direct from a corner this month.

His strike energised the home crowd - and his team-mates.

Doidge sent an ambitious lob just over before Elliot Bradbrook headed a Hayes cross over from inside the six-yard box. The skipper should have scored.

Rovers were not dealing with Hayes at all and his next delivery was nodded wide by Crawford as the home side finished the first half strongly.

The game turned into a real war of attrition after the interval, with players ploughing through the mud in central areas - although both teams did try to keep passing the ball.

Dartford broke well just after the hour and Hayes cut inside onto his left foot but his penalty appeals, for a shot which looked to have been blocked by an arm, fell on deaf ears.

Lee Noble was the next to try his luck from distance but Mildenhall made a simple save.

Play was now utterly chaotic as the conditions became even worse.

Bradbrook gave the ball away just inside his own half and Rovers almost him pay but Brown got down well to save Andy Monkhouse's drive from the edge of the box.

Monkhouse went close again moments later, sending a low shot across the face of goal and inches wide as the home faithful held their breath.

The visitors retook the lead on 78 minutes, McAuley's clearance hitting substitute Ellis Harrison a couple of yards out and squirming under Brown.

Dartford's players fell to their knees - but they were jumping for joy two minutes later.

The hosts were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out and Hayes swept a sublime shot into the top corner with Mildenhall grasping thin air as the ball flashed past his right hand.

Rovers pressed for a late winner, Taylor shooting wide with the final kick of the match, but Dartford were cheered from the field when the final whistle signalled the end of a remarkable contest.

Dartford: J Brown, Burns, McAuley, Collier, Richards, Hayes, Noble, Bradbrook, Green, Doidge (Harris 72mins), Crawford (Pugh 83mins). Subs not used: Cornhill, Sweeney, Ibrahim.

Bristol Rovers: Mildenhall, Leadbitter (Dawson 77mins), L Brown, Lockyer, McChrystal, Parkes, Mansell, Taylor, Easter (Balanta 8mins), Monkhouse, Blissett (Harrison 62mins). Subs not used: Trotman, Puddy.

Attendance: 1,832.