George Porter admits he’s only got himself to blame for the slow start to his Dartford career.

The 29-year-old forward enjoyed his best day in a Darts shirt by scoring twice on Saturday to sink National League South leaders Dorking Wanderers 3-2 at Princes Park.

But it’s been a largely forgettable campaign for the former Bromley and Maidstone man, who had failed to live up to his billing until the weekend.

“I definitely had something to prove,” admitted Porter. “It’s not been the greatest of seasons for me and I’m the first one to admit that. But I got my chance and I really wanted to take it.

“I’ve played at the level before, I’ve got standards and I’d say it’s definitely down to me.

“We’ve got a good squad so people are going to come in and perform and I’m going to be out of the team, that’s only down to me.

“I know it’s cliched but I’ve been training well and I took my chance on Saturday. Hopefully I can go on a run now and do the best I can.

“I did well on Saturday but I know I’ve got that in my locker. I’m 29 still, I think I’ve got a few years left in me.

“(My form has been) down to me personally but I’ve got a nice game under my belt and hopefully that can set me up for the rest of the season.

“I’ve been around it for years, I know what it’s like. You’ve got to take (the stick) on the chin, if you’re not playing well, then you’ve got every right to be criticised or asked

the question - hopefully they can say something good about me now!”

Porter had returned just two goals in 10 starts and 15 substitute appearances for Dartford before the weekend.

But he was back to his brilliant best as he ran Dorking ragged with a typically energetic display, epitomising his bubbly personality on and off the pitch.

“I’m always like that, whether I’m in the team or not,” added Porter.

“I love the football environment, the changing room, I’m just that person.

“It doesn’t matter if Robbo is playing, or Marcus, Ade - anyone - or me, we’re here to win, here to win the league and that’s how it is. I’ve been well received here, the supporters have been great to me. Even around the place, they’ve been genuinely nice and haven’t been why has

he not played, why is he not scoring?

“The win was for them so we’ll take that and move on to the next one.”

Darts boss Steve King told Porter that he’d be the first name on the teamsheet every week if he maintains that level of performance - a fact not lost on the player.

“He said that to me at the final whistle as we were clapping the supporters,” said Porter. “That has registered, he put me in and hopefully I’ve repaid him.

“He told me this morning, obviously (Darren) Oldaker sits deep in midfield and we had a gameplan to sit on him but in transition for me to get forward.

“I hadn’t scored for months and you do think when’s the next one going to come but that first goal spurred me on.”

The result moved Dartford to within seven points of the leaders with a game in hand.

With matches against the likes of Maidstone and Oxford City still to come, Porter knows Dartford need to step on the gas - starting with Saturday’s tricky trip to Chippenham.

“It was a big game for the club, we want to be in this to the end,” claimed Porter.

“We want to get a run together and see what they are made of. We’ve got to go for it now, there’s nothing else to it. We’ve got to get down to business and get these wins on the board.

“We’re not going to stop until it’s mathematically impossible, there’s so many points to play for still.”

Dartford host Chelmsford on Tuesday night.