Dartford 0 v 0 Arlesey Town

Southern League Division One East

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A GOOD crowd witnessed an enthralling, if nail-biting, battle between two play-off contenders, writes Mike Brett-Smith.

Long-term injuries to Kevin Spriggs and James Carter meant Darts fielded an unchanged starting line-up against Arlesey Town who began the day just two places below their hosts.

The action was fast and furious and the opening moments set the benchmark for the rest of the game Kevin Hudson had to rush out to clear a good Arlesey move and Ryan Hayes and Ryan Briggs combined to turn the clearance into a corner at the other end.

Word has obviously spread around the league about Dave Martin's speed as Arlesey's experienced Dave Hackett and chunky Scott Houghton, aided and abetted by Ivan Finch, shadowed Darts' best left-sided player since Kenny Halliday all afternoon.

There was little to chose between the two sides with the visitor's fast-paced, once-touch football being countered by a more considered Darts approach.

At the back Darts were calmness itself with Anthony Henry's experience the perfect foil for Richard Avery's maturing skills and skipper Tommy Osborne was all composure either tidying up or advancing upfield.

Chances were at a premium but the first one came after 20 minutes when Martin picked up a quickly-taken right-side corner, cut into the box and saw his shot almost deflected past Arlesey keeper Nicholas Bussey by Paul Bloss but it skidded past the far post and out for a corner.

Just before the break Arlesey won a free-kick 25 yards out and a quick pass to the right was met by Darren Hay who rattled the bar with a thumping drive.

Ian Pulman then picked the ball up in midfield and set off on a mazy run but opted to shoot rather than slip the ball to the unmarked Ryan Hayes.

The first chance of a less frenetic second half fell to Briggs at the far post after good work by Pulman and Hayes but his shot was blocked, then a pass from right midfield by Gary Carter just eluded Pulman coming in from the left.

At the other end Darts survived a massive scare as Scott Houghton lobbed Hudson only to see man-of-the-match Avery clear off the line.

This spurred Dartford on and the tricky Eddie McClements took hold of midfield setting Martin free on the left but the winger's cross was tipped over by Bussey for a corner.

The introduction of Dominic Elmes for Hayes tipped play in Darts' favour with the youngster's fresh legs causing the visitors new problems.

The final 10 minutes saw the Arlesey bench screaming for a clean sheet which was almost denied when a Henry back-header from a right-side corner was headed away to Avery whose header was blocked at the foot of the far post.

MATCH FACTS: DARTFORD: Hudson; G Carter; Osbourne; Henry; Avery; Hayes (Elmes, 75); Briggs; Hafner; Pulman; McClements; Martin.

SUBS NOT USED: Maguire; Craig; Robinson.

ATT: 280.