Dartford claimed three points but were made to work hard by 10-man Chelmsford on Tuesday night.

But with leaders Dorking dropping points at Eastbourne, the door opened slightly again in the National League South title race.

A scrappy opening from both sides saw neither team settle, although Chelmsford’s Cameron James picked up an early booking for taking out George Porter.

Darts took the lead on 17 minutes through a Jack Jebb special. Chelmsford keeper James Dillon must have known what was going to happen when the Dartford midfielder stood over a free-kick 30 yards from goal.

But he was powerless to keep out Jebb’s shot which went over the wall and into the back of the net. He’s not the first keeper to be beaten that way this season - and is unlikely to be the last.

The second goal arrived 10 minutes later when a Jebb free-kick into the danger area was twice helped on as the visitors failed to clear and Danny Leonard had the simplest task of prodding the ball home from a yard out.

Chelmsford’s Christian Frimpong had a long-range shot deflected over the bar on the half-hour but their best chance of the first half came a minute before the break.

A lack of communication between Tyrique Hyde and Connor Essam saw the ball go through to Charlie Sheringham who raced clear against his former club but keeper Dan Wilks turned his left-foot shot wide of the upright.

Wilks produced a good save four minutes after the break to deny Luke Deslandes after Tom Blackwell beat Tom Bonner for pace.

But the visitors were not to be denied on 51 minutes when Blackwell broke clear of the Darts defence and finished low beyond the advancing Wilks.

No sooner were Chelmsford back in the game than they were dealt a major blow two minutes later. George Porter’s pace got him ahead of Eduino Vaz and when he was brought down, referee Steven Hughes had no choice but to show a red card for the professional foul.

Even with 10 men against them, there was still a nervy edge to Dartford’s play. Leonard’s long-range shot took a deflection before being pushed away by Dillon while substitute Keiran Murtagh headed just wide from a Jebb corner.

Jebb’s free-kick was juggled by Dillon before substitute Ody Alfa lacked power in his shot but it was never comfortable for the home side, with Chez Isaac forcing a late save from Wilks.

Dartford: Wilks, K Roberts, Sweeney, Hyde, Essam, Bonner, Leonard, Jebb, Porter (Murtagh 58mins), Kalala (Alfa 61mins), Azeez (Robinson 90mins). Subs not used: Dinanga, Greenidge.

Chelmsford: Dillon, James, Dickens (Hockey 86mins), Frimpong, Oluwo, Sheringham (Rush 73mins), Imray (Isaac 63mins), Deslandes, Bradshaw, Vaz, Blackwell. Subs not used: Dunne, Norton.

Referee: Steven Hughes.

Attendance: 950.