Dartford drew City’s first four-figure gate to Melbourne Park on Monday but left without any points after a scruffy encounter.

The open spaces of the athletics track-surrounded pitch did nothing to enhance football and the long treks at half-time undertaken by both sets of supporters swapping ends left little time for a cuppa and a burger!

Chelmsford were first to show with a corner and two free-kicks setting the pattern for the afternoon.

Darts’ first real attack came on 12 minutes when they forced a corner which was charged down by Harrison in the home goal. City had more of the ball but didn’t really trouble Darts’ defence and any real pattern was destroyed by Mr Rock’s use of the whistle.

The only goal of the half came from a ‘nothing’ free-kick which saw Billy Bricknell thread the ball through a forest of legs and beyond Andy Young.

The re-start saw more of the same and the game was finally settled with four minutes to go when Anthony Cook fired in a fierce volley from near the left corner flag.

Darts may be pointless away from home at the moment but they are, overall, as good as their hosts.

Any team whose leading scorer is in a bad patch and has had Bradbrook, White, Goodacre and Sheringham missing games for various reasons – coupled with Billy Burgess having to leave the field after dislocating his shoulder - is not having the rub of the green.

Dartford: Young, Burgess (Gross 70), Bonner, Btuce, Goodacre, Champion, Noble, Berquez, Sheringham (Rook 65) , Bradbrook (Hayes 65), Harris. Subs not used: Shinn, Burns.