Manager Tony Burman admits Dartford have put themselves under pressure going into this weekend’s big double-header against Margate and Ebbsfleet.

Darts are 11th in Vanarama National League South with seven points from five games after losing at home to Gosport last Saturday.

That’s not where Burman wanted them to be ahead of testing fixtures against two of the pre-season title favourites.

He said: "We should have had 10 points and it’s definitely three points given away (last weekend).

"Ten points would have given us an average of two points a game over that period. That’s where I wanted to be, I thought that would be a good target and we’ve fallen below that target.

"We were one point below it before Saturday’s game and we’re now three points off it, which is difficult now because it puts a little bit more pressure on the next couple of games."

Dartford head east on Saturday to face a newly-promoted Margate side still looking for their first win of the season. Terry Brown’s side have drawn four of their first five games but Monday’s Princes Park opponents, Ebbsfleet, have yet to drop a point under Daryl McMahon with four wins to their name already.

Burman said: "They’re two good games over the Bank Holiday period. They’re two clubs who are going to be up there at the end of the season, I think.

"They’re full of good, experienced players and where players have signed for those two clubs, the standard in the league has gone up. It’s made the South an interesting league.

"It’s something to look forward to. They’re two clubs who now are well financially backed and fair play to them.

"It’s a big physical test but I’ve been well pleased with the fitness of our guys.

"It will be two tough games for us to take in the three days but that’s what the league is and there should be two good crowds so we’re looking forward to it."

Read the full story in the Dartford Messenger.