Lee Burns insists Dartford’s fighting spirit is alive and well – and can help keep the club in the Vanarama Conference.

Darts have got 14 games left to save themselves from the drop and right-back Burns says there is a real togetherness at Princes Park despite a second successive season of struggle.

The 32-year-old said: "It’s never been a bad dressing room. Tony (Burman) always gets a good bunch of lads in there and he would never let that spirit stop.

"The dressing room’s been good all season and hopefully that’ll be key to getting us out of trouble.

"We’ve still got a few of the old boys – me, Elliot, Nobes, Hayzie and Danny Harris – and I think that does help.

"Tony’s brought in people like Peter Sweeney and Jason Brown as well, who have got experience and have played at higher levels. For people like myself, this is the highest level I’ve played at, and it’s good to learn from those guys."

Burns helped Dartford to a hugely-important 3-2 win at AFC Telford on Saturday.

He admitted: "You start thinking ‘where’s the next win coming from?’ but now it seems like a weight’s been lifted off the lads’ shoulders. There’s a bit more confidence in that camp now and everyone’s lively in the dressing room."

Darts entertain Gateshead on Saturday, looking for their first home win in the league since November.

Burns said: "Gateshead will want to put right what happened to them on Saturday, losing at home to Nuneaton. They’re mid-table, and I don’t know whether they can make the play-offs, but we’re desperate for points because we want to stay up. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.

"We want to give everyone a lift, which the club needs. The last couple of games have given people a bit of hope.

"I’ve not got many years left at my age so I’m trying to enjoy every minute. I’ll always give 100%, whether we’re up or down."