Dartford crashed to a third straight defeat on a miserable Saturday afternoon at Princes Park.

A game played against a backdrop of leaden skies and in sweeping rain saw the home side start brightly and create good opportunities in the first half.

But it was the orange shirts of Braintree who lit up a dull day with two well-taken goals after the break, the second scored by former Ebbsfleet striker Liam Enver-Marum.

Defeat leaves Dartford with just three points from a possible 12 in The Skrill Premier and they have now played for more than five hours without scoring.

That drought could have been ended in the opening stages of Saturday's game. Elliot Bradbrook had a header cleared off the line when he rose to meet Ryan Hayes' in-swinging cross from the right.

Bradbrook then laid on a good chance for Jason Prior, lifting a perfectly-weighted pass into his path, but Iron keeper Nathan McDonald saved easily at the near post when Prior delayed his shot.

Dartford were on top and their best passing move of the half saw the ball worked wide to Lee Noble. He cut in from the left and fired in a shot which Braintree did well to block.

The visitors began to show signs of life late in the half.

Dan Holman and Luke Daley both had shots flash across the face of goal, although Bradbrook went close at the other end with a powerful effort from 20 yards.

However, Dartford's endeavour of the opening 45 minutes seemed to disappear after the break.

Daley had already fired a half-volley over the crossbar before Kenny Davis stood up a free-kick which Massey headed across Alan Julian and into the far corner.

Darts boss Tony Burman introduced Danny Harris for the ineffective Prior, but there was to be no grandstand finish.

The home side did have an excellent penalty shout waved away when the ball looked to have been handled by a Braintree player, but the Iron were otherwise comfortable.

And they sent Darts supporters streaming towards the exits when Enver-Marum, on as a substitute, found the bottom corner with a precise finish to open his account with the Essex club.

Burman takes his side to Tamworth on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dartford: Julian; Burns, Clark, Mitchel-King, Sterling; Hayes (Collier 86mins), Cornhill, Bradbrook, Noble (Woodyard 86mins); Prior (Harris 70mins), Birchall. Subs not used: Rogers, Wellham.

Braintree: McDonald; Peters, Massey, Wells (Sparkes 66mins), Habergham; Daley, Paine, Davis, Isaac (Carney 90mins); Marks, Holman (Enver-Marum 75mins). Subs not used: Symons, Hamann.

Attendance: 1,015.