Dartford manager Tony Burman bemoaned a loss of concentration after his side let a two goal lead slip to lose 4-2 against struggling Whitehawk on Saturday.

After a drab opening 45 minutes at Princes Park, the home side were awarded a penalty in added time when Jack Simmons was fouled, with the resulting spot kick coolly dispatched by Andy Pugh.

Dartford doubled their lead on 50 minutes through Pugh before Whitehawk pulled one back four minutes later as Danny Mills converted Jack Robinson’s cross.

Whitehawk were thwarted by Deren Ibrahim on numerous occasions but the Dartford keeper was at fault for the equaliser on 81 minutes, letting Alex Osborn's shot slip underneath him.

There was double woe for Dartford in added time when Nick Arnold crossed for Mills to bury it from close range, before a quick counter completed Hawks' fightback and Scott Neilson slotted past Ibrahim.

Burman felt the loss of Danny Harris and George Sykes, who both hobbled off in the first half, cost his side: "We were walking wounded today, with all due respect to Whitehawk but nevertheless we were 2-0 up and we should have shut up shop “We have given them a lifeline with the first goal but certain things happened in the game, we were down to bare bones and then make two substitutes in the first 45 minutes which was disappointing.

“We had a 2-0 lead but we knew that there were players out there who had not played for a long time and knew that later in the game their legs were going to go. We have also had a lack in concentration.”

Burman, without captain Elliot Bradbrook, also felt his side lacked leadership: “We have dangled the carrot as far as I am concerned. We started to give them too much room. When we went 2-0 up I felt we thought that the job was done.

“You need a leader out there and when you have a young side, which we have, that leadership disappears a little. It is a learning curve for them and it is frustrating for me and our supporters.”

The Dartford boss conceded that despite still being pleased with their league position, the club were not able to bring in any new faces to ease the injury list.

“It is difficult. The budget is very, very tight,” he said.

“Players will have to go before we bring players in. I do not particularly want to let anybody go.

“It is tough times for us at the moment. I am happy with the position we are in. I am more than happy with where we are.

“It is frustrating for me wanting to improve things because I cannot do that at the moment simply because the cash flow is not good.”

Burman's side continue their search for a playoff place with a trip to Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday.