Dartford moved another step closer to the Isthmian Premier title with a derby win over Dover on Good Friday.

Ady Pennock’s men remain two points clear of both Billericay and Horsham after the top three all won - with just two matches of the season remaining.

After a battling win at Whitehawk last weekend, Dartford restored Olly Box and Samir Carruthers to their starting line-up while Dover boss Jake Leberl named an unchanged side.

Dover took just eight seconds to show their attacking intent with George Nikaj warming the palms of keeper Jacob Marsden.

Box had his first opening after just five minutes at the other end but his header from a Hayden Bullas cross lacked power.

Dover’s best outlet appeared to be Ruben Soares-Junior who was causing plenty of trouble for the Darts defence. His 12th-minute header had to be pushed away by Marsden before Luke Baptiste’s effort went over the bar.

Dartford took the lead on 14 minutes when Carruthers showed his class with a stunning free-kick from a wide angle, finding the top corner to settle any nerves among the home fans.

Dover looked to respond with Alfie Matthews shooting just wide and Soares having another header saved.

Referee Mitchell Terry was giving out random yellow cards, infuriating both benches with his decisions as two players from each side were cautioned in the first half.

Dartford doubled their advantage 10 minutes before half-time when three Dover players tried to head clear Sam Odaudu’s long throw-in but the ball worked its way behind them, allowing Denzelle Olopade to arrive in space and force it over the line.

Dover nearly pulled one back on the stroke of half-time but Soares’ 20-yard left-foot curler came back off the inside of the far post.

It took Dartford just two minutes of the second half to effectively put the game to bed. Rather than launch a free-kick into the penalty area, Dartford worked the ball into feet and Box made himself space near the byline before crossing for skipper Josh Hill to head home at the far post.

That led to a low-key second half as Dover’s free-scoring attack were unable to create anything against a stubborn Darts defence.

But Soares-Junior gave the visitors hope when he scored a deserved goal after an excellent personal display with 11 minutes left. Good work by Francis Mampolo saw Soares-Junior turn his marker before firing home into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Substitute Eddie Dsane had a chance to score a fourth for Dartford but keeper Jordan Gilmore was out quickly to save.

Soares-Junior hit a 25-yard free-kick into the defensive wall as the game ticked into five minutes of stoppage time but the Darts were not to be denied.

Dartford travel to Cray Wanderers on Monday before rounding off at home to Carshalton on April 26.

Dartford: Marsden, Hill, Whitefield, Olarewaju, Okoye, Olopade, Bullas (Pinder 66mins), Carruthers (Dunne 46mins), Odaudu, Jones (Christian-Law 80mins), Box (Dsane 74mins). Sub not used: Williams.

Dover: Gilmore, Charles-Cook, Sesay (T Amgbaduba 82mins), Tennant (Gylbi 86mins), Cocoracchiu, Baptiste, Matthews (Mampolo 62mins), Nikaj (Lucan 86mins), Soares-Junior, Mensah, Hanson (E Amgbaduba 86mins).

Referee: Mitchell Terry.

Attendance: 1,878.