Dartford edged past Slough thanks to an early goal on Tuesday night.

Keiran Murtagh's header was the difference between the sides at Princes Park as Darts remain 11 points behind leaders Ebbsfleet in National League South.

Dartford made four changes from the team that drew 1-1 at Braintree on Saturday.

Alex Wall was back from suspension, Murtagh and Malachi Napa also started along with right-back Isaac Ogundea.

It was Ogundea who made an immediate impact, winning an early free-kick down the right wing as he was finally fouled by Tyrese Owen in the eyes of the assistant referee.

Luke Coulson’s free-kick found the Slough defence playing musical statues and Murtagh headed in from close range to give Dartford a fourth-minute lead.

Slough’s management took their frustration out on the assistant but might have been better served concentrating on how better to defend from Coulson’s deliveries into the area.

Elliot Benyon turned the ball wide at the far post for Slough, who looked for an early response but thereafter Dartford should have extended their advantage.

A right-wing cross by Ogundea, who looked calm and assured, found Napa whose deflected shot fell perfectly for Wall to turn in from close range, only for the offside flag to cut short any celebrations.

Wall then took advantage of a slip by centre-back Lee Togwell, getting ahead of Temi Eweka before squaring for Napa whose first-time shot was pushed away by keeper Will Dennis.

Coulson’s corner caused problems again in the Slough defence, Tom Bonner’s header back was cleared before Napa was nearly in after clever play by Coulson found space in the box.

Napa should have made it 2-0 eight minutes before the break. Slough were preoccupied with pulling Wall’s shirt and forgot to clear the ball, allowing Napa to nip in but his clip over the onrushing Dennis went wide of the upright.

Dartford’s Jack Smith was booked for a foul just before the break and Slough served the hosts with a warning in stoppage-time, Benyon shooting over at the near post after a good move down the right.

The home side started the second half brightly, Coulson again setting up Napa who cut inside before seeing his shot deflected wide for a corner.

Coulson’s 20-yard shot was saved by Dennis, who then saved comfortably from Napa after a neat turn on the edge of the area.

Route one nearly produced a second goal as keeper Ben Dudzinski’s long clearance sent Murtagh away but the midfielder failed to add to his tally, shooting wide with just Dennis to beat.

For all their dominance, Dartford headed into the final 15 minutes still only ahead by a single goal with Slough starting to throw more bodies forward.

Wall had the ball in the net again with two minutes left but the offside flag was quickly up.

There were late bookings for Wall and substitute Samir Carruthers in stoppage time, along with a Slough penalty shout, but the Darts just about got over the line.

Dartford: Dudzinski, Ogundea, Essam, Bonner, Meade, Smith, Wynter, Murtagh (Fonkeu 83mins), Coulson, Napa (Carruthers 65mins), Wall. Subs not used: Wilks, Onyeagwara, Statham.

Slough: Dennis Jackman, Dandy, Togwell (Obi 60mins), Lench, Benyon, Goddard, Davies, Eweka, George (Shubbar 72mins), Owen (Walsh 73mins). Subs not used: Dobson, Port.

Referee: Aaron Farmer.

Attendance: 809.