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Dartford FC boss Tony Burman on the 1-0 win at Eastbourne Borough

Tony Burman praised the Dartford supporters after Saturday's victory at Eastbourne Borough.

Darts fans travelled to the south coast in good numbers with their side top of the table and chasing automatic promotion.

They made a good noise at Priory Lane and were even acknowledged during the match over the PA system.

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Dartford manager Tony Burman Picture: Andy Payton
Dartford manager Tony Burman Picture: Andy Payton

Fighting talk from Burman in the wake of Dartford's home defeat to Poole on March 10 seems to have worked - they've won six out of six since then.

He said: "Back then, I was really disappointed with certain aspects of what was going on around the club.

"I'm not saying it was wrong or right, I'm just saying we needed to pull together because when we do, we're excellent. That's what we're about and today we had fantastic support. It started from the first whistle and that's all we were asking.

"Everything else happens after that but when the first whistle goes, whatever team we play and whoever I select, you get behind them.

"In all fairness, the supporters have reacted and I think they've been excellent in the games since then and they can see what the players have done."

Danny Mills scored the winner at Eastbourne as Darts kept themselves ahead of Havant & Waterlooville on goal-difference.

"I'm obviously delighted that we've got three points," Burman said. "Although it was 1-0, like Gloucester the other night, we had a couple of chances to kill the game off in the second half.

"It didn't happen but we still managed the game.

"It was a great ball in (for the goal) and to be fair, 10 or 15 seconds before, a long ball came down the channel and Alfie (Pavey) chased it. He got us a throw and from that, there were a couple of bits and pieces and then Nobes (Lee Noble) put a great ball in. Millsy's ended up on the far post and put it in and I'm delighted for him."

Had Dartford scored again early in the second half Eastbourne, with nothing to play for in mid-table, may well have folded.

Burman said: "We felt we needed to be ruthless in their box but it just didn't come off. That's not a criticism of anybody but we said we'd create chances.

"We've always created chances but they didn't quite go in. The effort was there and we've kept another clean sheet, which is another good thing at a good time.

"We should have finished the game off but they kept going, they kept organised and the defenders were excellent.

"Berti (Schotterl) hasn't really had a save to make, through some poor finishing by them, but we thoroughly deserved to win the game.

"I've got the utmost respect for all the players at this moment in time because of what we had to do a few weeks back.

"A couple of results hurt us and we've been given another opportunity. They could have been out of it and I'm hoping they're going to grab it with both hands."

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