Dartford extended their winning league run to six games on Saturday, beating Kent rivals Tonbridge in National League South.

Samir Carruthers’ corner and substitute Pierre Fonkeu’s second-half strike earned the Darts a 2-0 success and it means they are now on their longest winning streak in four-and-a-half-years.

A fast start by the Angels, who enjoyed much of the possession in the early stages, saw Joe Turner fire over inside the first 15 seconds before their afternoon turned sour.

The hosts almost created their first opportunity in the 14th minute after an uneventful opening period as Marvin Herschel tried to reach a long ball. But Angels keeper Jonny Henly just about beat the right winger to the loose ball.

But only two minutes later, Dartford’s Herschel managed to get in over the top, only to be thwarted by Henly at Princes Park in front of a crowd of 1,278.

Tonbridge responded soon after, with on-loan Charlton midfielder Jeremy Santos shooting wide.

The Darts created their first clear-cut opportunity with 25 minutes played. Home keeper Joe Young cleared, Charlie Sheringham flicked on and Luke Allen turned before firing over on the edge of the penalty area.

Alan Dowson’s team then started to pile on the pressure. Carruthers delivered a corner which was reached by Sheringham, but Henly punched clear on his own line, before a left-wing cross found the recalled Sheringham at the back post. However, he was denied by a fine block from left-back Craig Braham-Barrett.

Just after the half-hour mark, the home team did make the pressure pay, though. A corner from player-of-the-match Carruthers, once again, was sent under Henly’s crossbar and, this time, it found the far corner for his sixth goal of the season.

Jay Saunders’ side attempted to respond and an overhead kick from Turner forced Young to make a fairly simple save.

First-half stoppage time saw another Carruthers corner cause problems. Sheringham rose highest to reach the former Aston Villa midfielder’s delivery, only for a Tonbridge defender to head off the line to ensure they remained in the contest at the interval.

The game’s first change came with the second period only two minutes old, which saw Keiran Murtagh come on for Allen.

Just before the hour mark, the hosts made another substitution. Fonkeu came on for Herschel before a double change by the visitors a minute later saw Tommie Fagg and Dylan Gavin replace Louis Collins and Ruben Soares-Junior.

Dartford’s next chance fell to Carruthers on 61 minutes as he blasted wide at the far post.

Five minutes later, the away side enjoyed a good spell which resulted in a chance for Turner who bent narrowly wide of Wolves loanee Young’s right-hand post.

But the hosts doubled their advantage with 20 minutes to go when a Sheringham strike was charged down and substitute Fonkeu was on hand to bundle home his fifth goal of the campaign. Several Tonbridge players headed straight over to the linesman to protest, although referee Ross Martin waved them away.

The Angels weren’t done, though, and came close to pulling one back instantly two minutes later. Substitute Gavin - on loan from League 1 Charlton - found room but Dartford’s defence and Young did just about enough to deny him.

In the 78th minute, Tonbridge wasted a golden opportunity to score. Santos was adjudged to have been fouled by Odaudu, only for Turner to send his spot-kick over the bar, much to the delight of the home contingent.

Saunders’ side continued to push forward in search of a goal that would have set up a grandstand finish but to no avail, a late avalanche of rain compounding their misery.

The result moves Dartford third, albeit having played two league fixtures more than those above them, while the Angels are 11th, only three points off the play-offs.

Overall, eight yellow cards were brandished.

Darts boss Alan Dowson had made three changes. Coming into their starting line-up were striker Sheringham, midfielder Allen and Academy product Odaudu while Rodari and Murtagh dropped to the bench, former Tonbridge defender Kristian Campbell missed out entirely through injury.

For the away team, there was only the one change which saw Academy defender Joe Tyrie come in for Fagg. The former Ashford midfielder dropped to the bench as he was not fully fit with a groin problem.

There was a presentation prior to kick-off for Darts duo Jordan Wynter and Sheringham who both have made 100 starts apiece for the club.

Dartford: Young, Wynter, Carruthers (Rodari 80mins), Essam, Bonner, Allen (Murtagh 47mins), Statham, Smith, Sheringham, Odaudu, Herschel (Fonkeu 57mins). Subs not used: Wray, Wall.

Tonbridge Angels: Henly, Crowhurst, Braham-Barrett, Wagstaff, Miles, Tyrie, Gard, Santos (Addy 84mins), Collins (Gavin 58mins), Soares-Junior (Fagg 58mins), Turner. Subs: Manuel, Rutherford.

Referee: Ross Martin.

Attendance: 1,278.