Dartford’s struggles in the Vanarama Conference continued with a 1-0 defeat on their long trip to Gateshead on Saturday.

The game began badly for the visitors as Peter Sweeney was forced off through injury after just 11 minutes with a blow to the head.

Jason Brown stopped a drive from Lewis Guy and Jamie Chandler fired over while at the other end, Heed keeper Adam Bartlett thwarted Darts forward Harry Crawford twice in quick succession before the break.

Danny Wright saw a shot deflected over Brown’s bar before the turnaround and Crawford lashed over after the interval before Brown saved from Alex Rodman.

The only goal arrived eight minutes into the second half when Chandler burst forward in the box, managed to stay on his feet and stood up a cross which Wright headed past Brown to break the deadlock.

Wright saw another attempt deflected off target and Chandler fired over, while Crawford was denied by a last-ditch challenge from James Curtis when clean through on Bartlett’s goal.

The 28 travelling fans in a crowd of 1,336 saw Dartford pile on late pressure with free-kicks and long throws into the box as they sought a leveller, but they could not find a clear-cut chance before the final whistle.

Tony Burman’s side are fourth-bottom, a place above Welling and one below Dover Athletic, who visit Princes Park for a Kent derby on Tuesday night (7.45pm).