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Dartford boss Tony Burman missed the game at Ebbsfleet United after going to Darent Valley Hospital for tests

Tony Burman wasn't in the Dartford dugout for the local derby against Ebbsfleet on Monday.

The manager is unwell so assistant manager Paul Sawyer took charge of the Darts at Stonebridge Road.

Sawyer explained Burman's absence after the game.

Dartford assistant manager Paul Sawyer shouts instructions to his players Picture: John Westhrop
Dartford assistant manager Paul Sawyer shouts instructions to his players Picture: John Westhrop

He said: "Tony's in Darent Valley Hospital. He's having some tests done.

"We'll know a little bit more about that in the next few days.

"I'm sure there will be a bit more news on that as the week goes on."

Dartford gave a performance Burman would have been proud of, battling back from a goal down to hold the National League South leaders to a 1-1 draw.

Sawyer said: "We were very solid in the first half and a little bit unlucky to come in 1-0 down. It was probably the only time Ebbsfleet got in behind us in the first half.

"We said to the lads at half-time to carry on the same but to be braver on the ball, try to pass it a little bit more and I thought we did. From the first couple of minutes of the second half, we passed it a lot better than we did in the first half and thoroughly deserved the draw.

"We always knew that if we kept it tight, as the game went on, we could break on Ebbsfleet. These games tend to be tight for 60 minutes and then the game opens up.

"The plan was to get Danny Harris and Ryan Hayes on the ball as the game went on, get the ball wide and try to cause Ebbsfleet some problems.

"Tom Bradbrook battled well with the centre-halves all day long. In the second half we defended well but when we broke, we always looked like we could create something.

"We’ve been in the position Ebbsfleet are in. It’s not easy when you’re at home, teams come and get numbers behind the ball and they break on you.

"We’ve had that uncomfortable position a lot of times and that was our game plan - let’s be nice and compact but break with numbers and see if we can hurt them."

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