Tony Burman still believes his Dartford side can avoid relegation if they start performing well on a regular basis.

Despite being seven points from safety and having won just twice in the league since October, the boss feels his side can still beat the drop if they continue to play as they have done for the past two weeks.

The Darts came from behind twice in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with promotion-chasing Bristol Rovers, thanks to a brace from Ryan Hayes, and also recovered from two behind to earn a draw against Halifax in the FA Trophy a week earlier.

Burman said: “If we perform like we did in the second half against Halifax last week and the 90 minutes on Saturday against Bristol Rovers then that can only help the cause.

“I feel that the players have performed well in the last couple of games and it can help to improve the situation we are in.

“If we start picking up results then the belief that we can get out of the trouble we are in will come back.”

The point on Saturday was made all the more pleasing due to the difficult conditions and Burman feels his side were unfortunate not to come away with all three points.

He said: “Because of the condition of the pitch I was pleased with the team’s performance and coming from behind twice to get something out of the game, which I think we fully deserved, was a massive boost.

“I know we did not win the game but we got a point and I think we should have got all three.

“The way the conditions were and the way that the game went, coming back twice was a good boost for everybody.”

Dagenham & Redbridge striker Christian Doidge and Plymouth Argyle defender Jamie Richards have both joined on one-month loan deals in recent weeks.

And Burman believes the former is settling in well to new surroundings.

“Christian has been out with injury for a while with Dagenham, he has come back in and he is improving with each game.

“He is a good player and is just happy to be playing and I want him to just enjoy his football. He has settled in very nicely.”

Meanwhile, centre-back Mat Mitchel-King has left the club due to work commitments.

Burman said: “Mat’s contract was up and he spoke to one or two clubs. He lives in Cambridge and works up that way.

“He has a contract with them that runs into next year and it was easier to get something sorted for him nearer to his workplace and home.

“He was excellent for me and he is a good lad and I wish him all the very best.”

* News Shopper sports editor Paul Green has paid tribute to Dartford FC’s honorary life president Mike Brett-Smith, who sadly died last week.

Mr Brett-Smith had been involved with the club in one capacity or another since the 1950s and was also News Shopper’s Dartford match reporter until he was forced to give up the role last summer through illness.

Green said: “Like everyone else who heard the sad news of Mike’s passing last week, it came as a great shock and with a sense of real sadness.

“Mike’s match reports were always a great pleasure to read and he certainly brought his unique and colourful writing style to them.

“I had no hesitation bringing Mike in as our Dartford FC reporter from my previous paper the Dartford Times in 2007 and it was one of the best ‘signings’ I ever made.

“On behalf of News Shopper I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mike’s family and many friends at Dartford Football Club at this sad time.”