Dartford conceded an injury-time winner at home to Chelmsford in National League South on Saturday.

In a clash which could yet prove to be a precursor of the play-off final, substitute Giovanni McGregor curled home a stunning 20-yard shot to hand Chelmsford maximum points in the third minute of stoppages.

It sparked ridiculously extortionate celebrations from the visitors, more akin to winning the league than three points away from home, but nonetheless showed the importance of points as teams at the top end of the table battle for play-off spots.

Chelmsford remain in fourth but are now just two points behind Dartford who remain second and have games in hand on the teams below them.

Leaders Ebbsfleet had earlier moved 21 points clear at the top of the table by winning at Slough, and they can wrap the title up by winning at Taunton next weekend.

Chelmsford should have been ahead inside two minutes as Freddie Hockey got away from Darts defender Connor Essam but his cross was inches ahead of striker Michael Folivi, who had plenty of chances to open his account during the first half.

Folivi dragged his shot wide after 14 minutes when Luke Allen lost the ball cheaply in midfield for the home side.

Dartford had two golden chances inside a minute to go ahead. Samir Carruthers precise right-wing cross was perfect for striker Alex Wall, who had lost his marker at the far post, but his downward header went the wrong side of the upright.

Then Wall and Carruthers’ excellent one-touch exchange on the edge of the area opened up space for Luke Coulson, who crossed for Wall. He appeared to have a tap-in but excellent defending by Ben Brookes denied him.

Folivi went clean through at the other end after 38 minutes but shot wide with just keeper Dan Wilks to beat.

It proved a telling miss as Dartford went ahead two minutes later, Jack Smith setting up Coulson, whose lovely finish beat keeper Jacob Marsden.

The lead was nearly doubled on the stroke of half-time as Carruthers ran from the halfway line and twisted the last defender one way and then the other before shooting just wide of the upright.

Chelmsford had the wind in their favour in the second half and put the Darts under early pressure. Allen sliced over his own crossbar from a Hockey corner.

Then Sam Odaudu cleared off the line to deny Callum Jones and Wilks saved from Tyrese Johnson at the far post.

Dartford’s chances were few and far between although they thought a second goal had arrived only for Coulson to see his effort come back off the inside of the post.

The hosts appeared to have weathered the storm as Chelmsford didn’t create another clear opening until they equalised with eight minutes left.

By this time Essam had been replaced due to injury. Substitute Keiran Murtagh gave the ball away cheaply from defence and it was worked to Ody Alfa, whose right-foot drive from 25 yards went in via the inside of the post.

Darts immediately replaced Wall with Harvey Bradbury and nearly regained the lead when Malachi Napa set up Coulson, whose shot lacked power from just inside the area.

But there was to be one final twist as McGregor forward and found the bottom corner with a cracking finish.

Dartford: Wilks, Statham, Essam (Murtagh 75mins), Bonner, Odaudu, Smith, Allen, Carruthers, Coulson, Fonkeu (Napa 62mins), Wall (Bradbury 83mins). Subs not used: Chin, Dudzinski.

Chelmsford: Marsden, Trotter, Oluwo, Johnson, Folivi (McGregor 72mins), Jones, Hockey (Blackwell 62mins), Alfa, Brookes, Terry, Krasniqi (Blanchfield 88mins). Subs not used: James, Jackson.

Referee: Farai Hallam.

Attendance: 1,504.