The arrival of local lad Tom Clifford has been welcomed by Dartford caretaker manager Tony Burman.

Left-back Clifford made his debut as they ended a five-game losing league run with a 2-1 win over National League South basement boys Dover last weekend.

Burman moved quickly to recruit the 25-year-old from King’s Lynn after Academy graduate Sam Odaudu sustained his latest knock in last Tuesday’s 1-0 home loss to Chippenham.

“Tommy did well on Saturday,” noted the interim manager. “He came into training last Thursday and I’ve known about him for a while.

“Although we got him from King’s Lynn, he is actually a Dartford lad. He lives in Dartford and I love that. He’s someone local.

“He has got experience - and he doesn’t understand what all this pressure people say we’re under is because he’s won his first game!”

The initial loan for the former Southend player - who started out at Foots Cray Lions in Sidcup - is for one month, but may be extended.

Report: Dover 1-2 Dartford

Burman: ‘The pressure was really on’

Odaudu is expected to be out until at least the end of the month with a groin injury and Burman said: “We’ll have to see what the situation is with Sam.

“I’m not 100% sure how long he’ll be out for.

“But Tommy wanted games. King’s Lynn wanted him to have games and, with where we’re playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, it made sense.”

While Odaudu missed Dartford’s trip to Dover, another Academy player, teenage midfielder Olly Box, made his first league start and marked it with the opening goal.

Burman noted: “I’m pleased for Olly.

“He’s a good lad from our Academy.

“I’ll give him a little tap every now and then when he hasn’t been doing his work in the Academy on the education side – but the only tap I’ll give him about Saturday is a pat on the back.

“He’s done really well. It doesn’t always work but, for someone like Olly to be involved in a pressure-game, that can only be a good learning curve for him.”

Dover cancelled out Box’s goal in the second half, only for Darts captain Luke Coulson to convert a controversial late penalty to win it in front of a crowd of 794 with his eighth goal this season.

“For Luke to have the strength to take that penalty, that was really good,” said Burman. “I’m just delighted that it’s gone in.”

Talented young on-loan Bournemouth goalkeeper Billy Terrell’s wait for a first clean sheet this campaign continues.

The 20-year-old, ironically also on loan with Dover earlier in the season, has impressed at times despite his long wait for a shut-out.

But Burman knows making mistakes is all part of the learning curve for players like Terrell, having had Chelsea keeper Marcus Bettinelli in the early stages of his career.

On Terrell, he said: “He has made some mistakes but, when you have a goalkeeper from a Premier League side, they want you to play them.

“You have to realise that they may make mistakes.

“But at least they’re playing competitive football. As long as they’re learning from their mistakes, it’s fine.

“We were fortunate enough a long time ago to have Marcus Bettinelli when he was 18. He was with us for a season and he was brilliant.

“These keepers with Premier League and Football League sides need to get games at our level.

“You take them in and hope that they do really well, but they’re learning all the time.”

Dartford lost 3-2 at Slough on Tuesday.

All the goals came in the first half, Box cancelling out a first-minute opener just five minutes later and making it 2-2 before the hosts’ winner a minute before the break.

To compound their woes, Joash Nembhard was sent off two minutes from time.

The Darts begin a run of three home league games when they welcome Taunton on Saturday and host play-off chasing Aveley on Tuesday.