DARTFORD may still be waiting for their first win in the Conference South but manager Tony Burman remains confident the Ryman Premier champions will be a hit this season.

Saturday’s entertaining 2-2 draw with title favourites Havant & Waterlooville was followed by a 1-0 defeat at Hampton & Richmond Borough last night.

But despite the baptism of fire, Burman believes his side could just as easily have had more points on the board by now had certain decisions gone Dartford’s way and criticised Paul Goodacre’s early dismissal at Hampton.

He said: “When you go down to 10 men inside 10 minutes, it is always going to make things even more difficult.

“Having said that the players worked very hard and deserved something from the game.

“We got to half-time at 0-0 and had a few chances around that period of the game but it just didn’t go for us.

“I thought we held out well until about the 70th minute when they got a corner we could have prevented and then they scored with an unkind deflection off Danny Harris.”

Burman added: “We always knew it was going to be tough but we’ve played well and probably should have four points by now instead of one.

“I know from what we’ve shown in the two games so far that we are going to be a decent side at this level.”

Dartford will be hoping it is a case of third time lucky on Saturday when they travel to Farnborough.

This weekend’s opponents entertain Ebbsfleet tonight and Burman will be there to run his eye over both sides ahead of the big derby with Liam Daish’s outfit on August 28.

The Darts boss added: “I’m expecting it will be a tough game because, like Ebbsfleet, Farnborough lost their first game on Saturday and will be looking to make an immediate response.

“Regardless of that we will be going there to win.”

Charlie Sheringham (knee) is edging closer to full fitness but Burman concedes it is unlikely the striker will have recovered in time for the weekend.

Tom Champion is suspended but Goodacre’s ban for last night’s red card will not commence until two weeks time.