Dartford moved four points clear of the Blue Square Bet South relegation zone after a superb 1-0 win over leaders Braintree on Tuesday night.

The Darts won their third league game on the spin - all against top-half sides - despite playing more than three-quarters of the game with just 10 men.

Keeper Andy Young kept the deadlock intact with an early save before Charlie Sheringham controversially saw red on 17 minutes after being adjudged to have used an elbow in a coming together with a Braintree opponent.

The hosts soaked up pressure from the visitors and Young needed to make a splendid one-handed save after the break to keep Dartford level, however the hosts broke forward 11 minutes from time, with the referee playing advantage, and Elliot Bradbrook (pictured) found Jon Main who held up the ball before returning it to the Darts skipper to fire home.

There was still time for Tom Champion to send an audacious 40-yard lob wide of an ungauarded net, as Darts made it six games undefeated in all competitions ahead of their FA Trophy last-16 trip to Gateshead on Saturday.