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Sport

Dartford 1 Forest Green Rovers 1

By: Steve Tervet

Published: 00:00, 30 November 2013

Updated: 10:29, 30 November 2013

Action from Dartford v Forest Green in the FA Trophy Picture: Andy Payton

Dartford ended their losing run on Saturday but they let a lead slip to draw at home with Forest Green in the FA Trophy.

A Danny Harris goal gave the Darts the lead against their Skrill Premier rivals but Yan Klukowski's strike, in the 72nd minute, means they must travel to Gloucestershire for a replay on Tuesday night.

However, after a run of seven straight defeats, this was a performance which will give manager Tony Burman belief that his side can drag themselves out relegation trouble.

Dartford's starting XI bore two changes from their 2-0 defeat to Barnet on Tuesday night. Mat Mitchel-King replaced the suspended Kenny Clark in defence and midfielder Jim Stevenson made his debut having signed on loan from Luton earlier in the week.

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Striker Jason Prior started a long spell on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle in the Barnet game, while midfielder Lee Noble served the second of his three-game ban.

There were plenty of chances for both sides in an absorbing first half.

Danny Wright, who won the FA Trophy with Wrexham last season, drilled an early shot wide before Darts keeper Phil Smith pushed a James Norwood effort round the post.

At the other end, Harris created a chance for Adam Birchall, whose shot across goal was held by Rovers keeper Sam Russell. Nathan Collier and Stevenson then combined to set up Birchall for a second crack at goal, this one blocked by a defender.

Stoke loanee James Alabi teed up Keiron Forbes as play continued to switch from end to end and his shot flashed wide.

When a Forest Green corner from the left wasn't properly cleared, the ball fell invitingly for Norwood, but he lifted his effort wide of the far post.Harris tried his luck from 20 yards for Dartford but Russell was equal to his strike.

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As the visitors kept pushing for an opener, Alabi played in Klukowski and Smith did well to keep his effort out.

Elliot Bradbrook headed over from a Dave Martin corner, before Birchall's free-kick was brilliantly clawed out of the top corner by the diving Russell.

But the home side got their noses in front four minutes before the break. Collier's ball forward wasn't dealt with by Eddie Oshodi, running back towards his own goal, and Harris' persistence was rewarded when the ball bounced his way, allowing him to poke it beyind Russell.

On-loan winger Dave Martin gets down the Dartford left (Pic: Andy Payton)

Mitchel-King, who injured his hand during the first half, didn't appear for the second and was replaced by midfielder Alex Woodyard. Collier dropped back into central defence as part of the reshuffle and it was later confirmed that Mitchel-King had broken two fingers.

Birchall got up well to meet a right-wing Martin cross after the restart, but his header flashed wide of the far post.

The home side were now playing some delightful football. Birchall's next try was a shot from 25 yards which Russell almost spilt over his own line before grabbing the ball at the second attempt.

Alabi managed to spin Connor Essam in the Dartford box and get a shot away, but his effort lacked power and Smith made a simple save.

The hosts were 18 minutes from going through when Rovers levelled.

One simple pass split the Darts central defenders and Klukowski strolled through to beat Smith, who was left hopelessly exposed.

Norwood almost put Rovers ahead within a couple of minutes but his long-range shot flew narrowly wide.

Now the visitors looked the more likely winners. Dartford failed to clear a corner from the left and Klukowski hooked a shot straight at Smith.

Only a brilliant block by Lee Burns, four minutes from time, kept the Darts in the competition. Alabi out-muscled Collier and toe-poked the ball away from the onrushing Smith but Burns threw himself in front of Norwood's goalbound effort.

Dartford: Smith; Burns, Mitchel-King (Woodyard 46mins), Essam, Sterling; Collier, Stevenson, Bradbrook, Martin; Harris (Akinwande 87mins), Birchall. Subs not used: Cornhill, Vint, Dembele.

Forest Green: Russell; Hodgkiss, Turley, Oshodi, Asafu-Adjaye; Klukowski, Forbes, Green (Barry 59mins), Norwood; Wright, Alabi. Subs not used: Bangura, Taylor, Racine, McHugh.

Attendance: 511.

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