Manager Alan Dowson knows Dartford need to address why they are struggling to defend set-pieces after they were dumped out of the FA Cup.

Two goals from corners saw early Isthmian South East high-fliers Beckenham - two leagues below the Darts - beat them 2-1 in the Second Qualifying Round at Princes Park on Saturday, despite an equaliser by striker Charlie Sheringham.

Conceding from set-plays has been an issue for Dartford - who finished the tie with nine men - since the start of the season and Dowson is keen to address the problem.

“Virtually every goal we have conceded has been from a set-play, we have not conceded a proper goal from open play,” he said. “But even a team from two leagues below, they scored from set-plays - that’s a concern.

“I’m gutted and, obviously, the players will be feeling the same. But we have got games galore now, we are not stopping.

“We said before kick-off ‘Don’t give them a sniff’. But we lost the first and second phase and they were 1-0 up. We then got back in the game but conceded from another set-play.

“In the game, they didn’t score but, from set-plays, they found a way to score. It’s just sloppiness from us.

“No team has been better than us, but we have conceded from corners and free-kicks. I’m massively devastated as a manager but we have got a week to work on it.

“We worked on it on Monday, it doesn’t take a genius to work out why we are working on it!

"We have to work on it until we get it right.”

Dowson admitted the buck, ultimately, stops with him and his management team - but he needs his players to show better leadership on the field, too.

He said: “We have got to take responsibility.

"I have kept players and signed players. I know I was late into the job but, whatever happens, it’s got to be my responsibility.

“But somewhere along the line, they [the players] need to take responsibility as well.”

Dowson felt both centre-backs Connor Essam and Tom Bonner should have netted in their FA Cup loss and, while Dowson accepts the defensive problems are not down just to them, he wants more from them at the other end.

“Connor Essam and Tom Bonner are our two best players this season - but we need to get a bit more from them,” said Dowson.

“They need to chip in with some goals as well. I need more from my senior players.

“But it’s not just about Connor or Tom, and it’s not just about the back four. What we have to do is stop the balls into the box.

“Once we do that, we will be fine. It’s my job to train the players and I don’t mind having a couple of cracks at them.”

National League South Dartford were not helped by decisions in their match against Beckenham either, though.

Dowson felt his side should have been awarded a first-half penalty. They were reduced to 10 men when winger Luke Coulson hobbled off in the second half with Dartford having already used all three substitutes, and on-loan midfielder Kwaku Frimpong was controversially sent off on just his second appearance for the club.

On Frimpong’s red card, Dowson said: “I thought it was a scandalous decision - but the handball decision in the first half was even worse!

"If he looks at the video, he will see. He says it hit his hip but it’s hit his hand."

Dartford appealed against Frimpong's sending off and were unsuccessful, but on Tuesday night, Frimpong did score his first senior goal for parent club AFC Wimbledon in their 3-2 win over Crawley in the Papa John's Trophy.

Meanwhile Coulson, a summer signing from National League Bromley, is due to be sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Dowson said: “It happened 20 seconds after we brought a substitute on. It’s his hamstring so he will be out for a couple of weeks.

"That’s just tough luck. I thought we were getting him back to where he was. You make your own luck sometimes but it’s not evened itself out yet.”

It’s now back to league action for Dartford, who host Hampton this Saturday and Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday.