Dartford manager Alan Dowson took full responsibility for his side’s heavy pre-season defeat to Charlton on Saturday.

The Darts went in 1-1 at the break and were trailing 2-1 when both sides changed their whole teams on the hour mark.

A youthful Dartford side conceded three goals in eight minutes and eventually suffered a 6-1 reverse.

“I thought there were a lot of positives,” insisted Dowson. “I’m delighted with the performance, that last half-hour is a learning curve for the kids and the trialists.

“We’re not in a position to go 90 minutes yet, of course we’re not, but we will be in a couple of weeks.

“The first 60 minutes were outstanding. I was happy with the shape that we kept in the team, especially with the three players out. We knew we were going to be on the backburner.

“We had a great hour but you can’t do anything about the last half-hour when the Academy lads and trialists came on.

“We had nine academy lads involved but they’re not ready to play against Charlton’s first team. It’s on my head when the result comes through and the paper says we’ve been beaten 6-1.

“But people who know football realise it wasn’t a right reflection of the game. Don’t pick on the academy lads - pick on me instead.”

Dartford had a good shape about them in the first half, not unexpected given most the defenders were at the club last season.

“We were nice and solid, we competed well and kept the shape against a good side who are a few leagues above us,” added Dowson. “We showed a lot of good qualities.

“I’m delighted with where we are. There’s still work to do in the transfer market but I cannot get them yet, as I’m looking at the loan market so I’ve got to bide my time.”

Dowson could make a signing early this week with one trialist catching his eye against Charlton.

“I’m looking to sign him, hopefully that will get sorted in the next few days, I thought he did well,” revealed the Darts boss.

There players were missing from the first game, strikers Alex Wall and Charlie Sheringham plus Luke Allen.

But Dowson expects all three to get a run-out either against Millwall on Tuesday night or at Bromley this Saturday.

He said: “They’re not ready to play yet, you get little pre-season niggles so if you play them in a game and they get injured then it’s pointless. If not Tuesday, then (they’ll play) Saturday.”