Manager Alan Dowson has demanded a performance full of heart and desire from Dartford this evening.

The Darts head to Oxford City in National League South knowing victory could take them top of the table.

But, after a 10-game unbeaten run, the Darts head to Oxford on the back of successive defeats, 3-1 at Farnborough in the league and 4-0 at Swindon Supermarine in the FA Trophy.

“We’ve got to go there and treat it like a FA Cup final,” stated Dowson. “Oxford lost in the FA Trophy as well, Ebbsfleet went out and Havant as well, but we’ve got to make sure we bounce back better than anybody else.

“I want to see some heart and desire. I’ve got some players who are good footballers but that’s what I’m looking for. We had a winger who passed the ball back to his goalkeeper from the halfway line. He’s a winger, he should be going forward.

“But I can’t dwell on it any more, I’ve got to pick myself up and get ready for the game.”

Dartford look set to bring in a goalkeeper on loan with Wolves’ Joe Young ruled out through injury.

Dowson also hasn’t ruled out further defensive reinforcements, although Connor Essam returns to renew his partnership with Tom Bonner. The pair haven’t played together in the two defeats.

“Connor hasn’t been very good without Bonner and Bonner hasn’t been very good without Connor so I think it will be nice to get them together again because as a partnership they’re the best in the league,” said Dowson.

“I’ve been trying for the last couple of weeks to sign a centre-half and I’ve had two or three in my office, it’s just making that decision where clubs agree and we agree but I won’t panic and just sign anyone, I need a centre-half who is as good as what we’ve got.

“It’s competition for them, I don’t want Connor or Bonner to think they’re going to play every week.”