Alan Dowson has vowed to rectify mistakes in the transfer market to get Dartford where they need to be.

Boss Dowson saw Darts knocked out of the FA Trophy by an injury-time Maidstone goal at Princes Park yesterday.

While he felt the 1-0 defeat was harsh on his side, the goals Darts are conceding remain a major frustration.

He was unhappy with the defending for Levi Amantchi’s 94th-minute goal and is working hard to get Darts back to the levels they showed last season in finishing runners-up in National League South.

“We concede shambolic goals - we concede the worst goals ever,” said Dowson, who had a potential new recruit in the stands.

“I’ve got to get my head down and try and solve that problem. It’s all about problem-solving.

“It’s a local derby, a big crowd and we concede a goal like that.”

He added: “I think we need three or four players. If I’ve made mistakes, which I have done, in the transfer market, I’ve got to rectify them, so I’m working very hard.

“I’ve got another player who came and watched today, who I think I can sign on Monday, I’m after a lad from Charlton and I’ve got a keeper in today (Ryan Sandford made his debut) to add competition.”

Dowson felt Dartford were the better side in the FA Trophy Second-Round tie.

They hit the woodwork in the first half and put the visitors under pressure in the second but couldn’t score and paid the price when Maidstone kept a cross alive and grabbed the winner.

Report: Dartford 0-1 Maidstone

“It’s very harsh,” said Dowson. “I thought we had all the play in the second half. I thought we camped in their half, to be honest.

“First half, Moussa (Diarra) hit the bar with a header but that’s where we are. I thought it was a little bit harsh.

“I thought we had most of the attacks and there was only going to be one winner, that’s what I thought, then you get an innocent ball in the box where we’ve got to deal with it better.

“We haven’t dealt with things all season as a back four and we’ve been caught out again. It took until the 90th minute but we’ve been caught out with it and if we concede goals like that we’re going nowhere quick.

“I thought we were going to nick a goal but it wasn’t to be.

“If he’d scored a 25-yard worldie you accept it, but the goal, you’ve seen it the other night against Worthing, the goals we concede are awful.

“It’s a problem I’ve got and I’ve got to try and do something about it.

“I’m just devastated at the minute because I thought we didn’t deserve that.

“I thought we were the better side. I always tell the truth and I think the video will prove that as well.

“It’s just very harsh on the score but that’s football.

“The players are devastated, they’re really down about it but they’ve got to get over it as well.”

Dartford return to National League South action at home to Braintree on Tuesday night.