Dartford took a valuable point away from the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with Spalding United in their Dr Martens Eastern League fixture.

The pitch at Spalding was extremely heavy after a torrent of rain, but Dartford managed to play some neat football on it, and in the first half, they had the better exchanges without being able to find the net.

Spalding had the better of the clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half, with Bailey squandering several good chances which ought to have given his mid-table side the lead.

His worst miss came after 35 minutes when his low drive could only find the side-netting, when it should have found the back of it.

But after 51 minutes, Spalding finally took the lead when Ward's cross from the right flank was hit low into the net by Dennis.

This setback led to a revival by the Darts and they should have cashed in on some poor defending by Spalding before they finally drew level in the 62nd minute, albeit with the help of some bizarre defending.

Steve Marriner linked up well with Lee Guiver on the right hand side. Marriner then took the ball to the by-line and crossed int the goal area, where Bunce in the United goal came rushing out and only succeeded in knocking the ball against his own defender, Frecklington, who diverted the ball, into the net.

However, it was no more than the Darts deserved for their spirited second-half display.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, new comes that reserve team manager Willie O'Sullivan and his assistant Nicky Johns have parted company with the club. This follows the departure of first-team boss Gary Julians the previous week.

December 4, 2001 13:16