DARTFORD’S first season at the highest echelon of football outside the full-time game ended quietly when they lost 1-0 at home to Nuneaton Town on Saturday.

Tony Burman’s side were slightly more inventive than the visitors, but the final ball didn’t always quite find its intended target. By contrast, Nuneaton Town were neat and methodical through midfield and managed to snatch a late goal to take the three points back to the Midlands with them.

A good crowd of 1,844 helped create a holiday atmosphere with the 200+ visiting contingent introducing some erstwhile unheard songs in contrast to the rather quieter drum-led hosts. It was carnival time at Princes Park and the announcement the bar at the car park end would not be open at half-time was met with verbal disapproval.

The first half was pretty much forgettable, but Darts upped a gear after the break and became more dangerous, although without quite breaching the Town defence. They should have gone ahead midway through the second half when a Jack Evans corner found Elliot Bradbrook, whose header was somehow blocked by Philips in the visiting goal Typically Nuneaton forced a flurry of corners, Darts broke and Bradbrook raced up the left, crossing to Charlie Sheringham whose shot was saved. Then, with nine minutes remaining, a neat three-man move set up Wesley York, whose angled shot nestled into the right corner of Dartford’s goal.

This has been a hard inaugural Conference season for Darts and it was generally agreed the first priority was to secure their place in this very unforgiving competition. Three defeats in the opening eight days did not auger well and a quick return to regional division football seemed a likely prospect.

But once the team got used to the pace, quality of opposition and the massive travel demands, things quickly improved and they eventually finished a very creditable eighth in the table. There were highlights aplenty, including a double over Luton Town, a run to the FA Trophy semi-finals, some stunning away wins and an excellent Christmas win and draw with Ebbsfleet. But there was also downside, including the extraordinary eviction from the county Senior Cup.

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Dartford: Somogyi: Burns, Bonner, Arber, Green: Champion, Wallis (Rogers 54), Hayes (Evans 70), Bradbrook: Harris (Collier 84), Sheringham. Subs not used: Wells, Rose. Att: 1,844.