Captain Josh Hill believes Dartford will be eager to avenge their FA Trophy defeat to Dulwich Hamlet when they play the same opposition this Saturday.

The teams will lock horns at Princes Park once more, Ady Pennock’s promotion-chasing Darts keen to extend their unbeaten Isthmian Premier streak to nine matches.

Dartford’s upturn in fortunes has come immediately after a run of five defeats from six games - including October’s 1-0 home loss to Hakan Hayrettin’s side in the Trophy third qualifying round.

“It will be a very tough game,” said Hill. “I think they have been a bit up-and-down recently.

“We played them in one of the last games before we went on our unbeaten league run. We lost to them in the FA Trophy so we’re looking for a bit of revenge from that.

“I felt we were actually better than them on that day, but just didn’t get the right result.

“They will bring a lot of fans.

Darts defender makes team-of-the-week

"If we play as well as we can, with all the quality we have got in the team, I’m sure we will be in for a good day.”

Hill doesn’t think much has altered for the Darts for their form to turn around so drastically but has highlighted the time in last month’s 2-1 home win over Cheshunt, where their fortunes changed.

Targeting a minimum of a play-off place this campaign, Hill said: “I don’t think a lot has changed.

“Even in that barren spell, in a handful of games, we absolutely dominated.

“We just couldn’t score enough goals and, dare I say it, it seemed luck was against us. It seems a bit weird but just some of that bad luck has become good luck.

“The turning point for me was the league game at home against Cheshunt when George Whitefield scored a 35-yard screamer. George is a good player and is going to have a good career in the game, but I’m not sure he’ll score many goals quite like that!

“That’s all I can put it down to. It’s just about doing the right things.

“We will just keep listening to the gaffer, Ady, and try to keep going on this unbeaten league run for as long as possible.”

Experienced defender Hill was heavily involved in Dartford’s 4-0 victory against hapless Bognor Regis last weekend, scoring his first goal this season, as well as playing a part in another.

Hill revealed: “I forgot about the assist, actually! I was just concentrating on the goal!

“In general, I’m good for a few goals in a season but that was my first one on Saturday.

“Hopefully, we get some more positive results and I can get more goals before the end of the season. I definitely want to keep contributing on that side of it.

“Obviously, mainly it’s about clean sheets, but it’s nice to chip in with goals.”

Hill struck after midfielder Denzelle Olopade’s close-range finish. Playmaker Olly Box and defender Whitefield also were on target for the Darts as they raced into a 4-0 half-time advantage.

Hill reflected: “It was a brilliant result.

"We have got on a bit of a run, which we have been wanting to get on for a long time. We went a number of games without winning but we’re eight games unbeaten in the league.

"We’re right in the mix.

“If we continue in that same vein, I think the table will look a lot rosier at the start of the calendar year.

"Most weeks, if we play well and apply ourselves properly, we’re going to do well with the quality we have got in the squad.

“It was disappointing with how windy and cold it was on Saturday. They turned it around and went into the wind in the first half - but that didn’t really work because we were 4-0 up by half-time.”

Box and Whitefield are two of many talented youngsters in Dartford’s squad.

“There’s 11 players that are 21 or younger so half the side, if not more, are essentially teenagers,” said Hill. “It’s a different culture.

“I’ve felt more responsibility in terms of nurturing the young players.

"There’s going to be mistakes and bad results but, as long as they still want to learn and show a willingness to improve, that’s all you can ask for.

“They’re playing every week at Step 3 at 18, which is quite a good achievement, even if they don’t see it like that.”

Young striker Ashdon Day has joined Southern Counties East Premier Division Whitstable on loan.