Dartford suffered a huge blow in their bid to avoid the drop in Vanarama Conference as they went down 2-0 at fellow strugglers Southport on Saturday.

After the stunning late win over Chester in midweek, Darts began the day looking for their first back-to-back wins of the campaign and to close within six points of their hosts with a win against the side sat sixth-bottom, four points and two places outside the relegation zone.

However Tony Burman’s players sank to their knees on the final whistle after defeat saw them fall 12 points behind Southport, albeit with a game in hand, with eight games to play.

Danny Harris was denied by Port stopper Peter Brezovan before the break while at the other end Paul Smith fired over Deren ibrahim’s bar.

The opening goal arrived shortly after the hour when Richard Brodie turned in from close range after Darts failed to clear a corner.

Substitute Luke Daley went close to an equaliser with an effort which Brezovan saved, but the hosts put the gloss on the victory in the final minute when late sub Paul Rutherford headed the clincher to make it consecutive wins for the strugglers.

A terrible day for Darts saw them slip to second-bottom after Nuneaton’s surprise 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Macclesfield, while fifth-bottom Alfreton’s 1-1 draw at home to Chester means Darts are 10 points from safety with an inferior goal difference.