Dartford extended their lead at the top of Isthmian Premier to two points - despite being held by Folkestone at Princes Park on Saturday.

The Darts had to come from behind to rescue a point in a pulsating derby but they took some comfort from Cray Wanderers winning at their nearest rivals.

It means four wins in their last four games will see Dartford crowned champions.

Dartford made one change from the side that won 3-0 at Dulwich last weekend with the injured Olly Box replaced by Eddie Dsane.

There were three changes for Folkestone from the team beaten by Chatham last week at Cheriton Road. Frankie Morgan, Daniel Smith and Matthias Fanimo were replaced by Dean Rance, Evans Kouassi and Ade Yussuf.

Incoming Folkestone boss Jay Saunders took his seat in the directors box just before kick-off.

There was nearly a goal for Dartford after just seven seconds as Eddie Dsane was allowed to run and run straight from the kick-off but his 25-yard right-foot shot whistled just over the bar.

After a scrappy opening, Folkestone went ahead on 10 minutes. A free-kick from the right was returned back into the danger area and Amadou Kassarate hooked the ball home from close range.

Dartford looked to respond, kicking into a strong wind, with Sam Odaudu’s cross met by the head of Samir Carruthers but his effort lacked power to trouble keeper Jonny Henly.

Former Darts midfielder Luke Allen was booked for a poor and late challenge on Hayden Bullas just before the half-hour mark and the stop-start nature of the game was underlined shortly after when it took the best part of two minutes for Dartford to take a corner such was the pushing and shoving in the box.

Dsane made a jinking run past three defenders before going down in the box under Joe Turner’s challenge but the referee waved away his appeals.

Folkestone were proving a tough nut to crack and Dartford’s task got even harder on the stroke of half-time when a lovely right-wing cross by Yusuff was perfect for Kassarate to stoop and head home their second goal.

Dartford nearly pulled one back in the last of four added minutes when Odaudu’s cross was met by Callum Jones, but Joel Odeniran and Henly somehow kept it out on the line.

Dartford looked for an immediate response in the second half and were denied by an excellent Henly save on 50 minutes as Michael Olarewaju met Carruthers’ free-kick.

They were back in the game on 59 minutes, though, as Carruthers’ long free-kick fell to the feet of George Whitefield, who turned and shot low beyond Henly.

That started wave after wave of Dartford attack - and some prolonged time-wasting by Folkestone.

Olarewaju and Hill both had efforts diverted behind for corners as Folkestone threw their bodies in the way to keep Dartford out.

Dartford were handed a chance to equalise when Denzelle Olopade was upended in the box and Carruthers stepped up to send Henly the wrong way from the spot with seven minutes left.

Such was the referee’s failure to keep a grip on the game, there were eight minutes of stoppages indicated. In truth, it should have been double figures.

Odaudu’s header at the far post had to be tipped over before, in the 103rd minute, Hill hooked the ball home following a long throw-in but their celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Dartford: Marsden, Hill, Whitefield, Olarewaju, Okoye (Christian-Law 90+6mins), Bullas, Carruthers (Dunne 90+4mins), Olopade, Odaudu, Dsane, Jones. Subs not used: Ofori-Acheampong, Pinder, West-Astuti.

Folkestone: Henly, Hoyte, Scarlett (Morgan 70mins), Gayle, Odeniran (Walledge 90+1mins), Kassarate, Rance, Allen, Kouassi (Fanimo 85mins), Yusuff, Turner. Sub not used: Kennedy.

Referee: Joseph Gray.

Attendance: 1,211.