Dartford manager Tony Burman praised his players for picking up a huge win under immense pressure on Thursday night.

When fellow strugglers Aldershot and Hereford both won away on Tuesday night, the Darts - who didn't play - were left four points adrift on safety in Skrill Premier.

But they won their game in hand 1-0 against Grimsby on Thursday to close that gap back to a single point ahead of the weekend's fixtures.

Burman said: "The players have responded to the pressure brilliantly. Results didn’t go in our favour on Tuesday night and we haven’t even kicked a ball. To be under that type of pressure and to get three points against a team in the play-offs, it’s a good result and I think we deserved it.

"I’m not saying it was a brilliant game to watch but it doesn’t matter about that at this stage of the season. All that matters is trying to get the ball in the net more times than your opponent. I’m really pleased for the players because that was pressure for them. I thought it was a bit nervy in the first half but we had a good chat at half-time and I thought they got their just rewards.

"I thought the crowd were a little bit quiet in the first half – they must be nervous as well – but in the second half, they got behind them and I’m pleased that they did.

"That’s a big win for us. I thought it was a real pressure match for the guys and I think they were a little bit nervous in the first half. But they gave me their all."

Grimsby's line-up bore a staggering 10 changes from their 2-2 draw against Woking two days earlier.

Burman said: "That shows what a squad they’ve got. I spent most of Monday saying how they were going to play, what they were going to do, players who were a danger and they’ve made 10 changes.

"But they’re in a position to do that, we’re not. There’s your difference in the teams. They’re full-time players and we’re part-time.

"We might not always show the quality but we show the effort. Fair play to the players, they’ve been excellent."

Dartford are at home to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.