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Dartford 0 Concord Rangers 1 match report Elliott Romain misses a penalty for Dartford

It was a tale of two penalties as Dartford fell to defeat against Concord in National League South on Saturday.

Darts missed a spot-kick when Elliott Romain hit the post - and were then beaten by a Concord penalty in the second half.

Dartford pile on the pressure late on against Concord on Saturday. Picture: Sean Aidan FM24849499
Dartford pile on the pressure late on against Concord on Saturday. Picture: Sean Aidan FM24849499

Darts fielded new signing Sanchez Ming, who arrived from neighbours Welling, and he made a solid start at right-back.

All of Dartford’s attacks in the first 45 minutes seemed to come down that side, although it was Concord who had the best early chance with Lamar Reynolds going close.

Dartford were handed a golden chance to go ahead in the 18th minute when Luke Wanadio was tripped in the box.

But Romain missed a penalty in a Dartford shirt for the second time when he sent his spot-kick against the upright.

Darts defender Josh Hill recovered 10 minutes before the break to block Henry Woods’ shot after initially gifting the ball to the on-loan Gillingham youngster.

Rowan Liburd turned his low shot wide at the near post following a left-wing corner and then Romain nodded a corner beyond the far post.

Concord lost Billy Roast to injury early in the second half but won a penalty of their own on the hour.

Jordan Wynter was slow to react to a loose ball in midfield but there was still plenty for Joel Nouble to do as he strode forward and fed Kit Elliot. The Concord frontman was fouled by Darts keeper Alhaji Sesay and referee Wayne Cartmel pointed to the spot.

After a three-minute delay while the physio was on the pitch, Nouble confidently tucked away the spot-kick to give Concord the lead.

They nearly doubled their advantage with 19 minutes left when Nouble turned Liam Gordon but his low shot was blocked by Sesay.

Darts introduced Ky Marsh-Brown and Ryan Hayes but still struggled to create a worthwhile chance with a couple of long-range efforts deflecting wide off their own players.

Hayes sent a vicious cross into the danger area which almost caused an own goal as Darts piled bodies forward late on.

It was Hayes who looked most likely to conjure up an equaliser. He burst down the right and crossed to the far post where the ball was kept alive and McQueen’s volley produced a stunning save from keeper Chris Haigh.

Romain then just failed to force the ball home from the resulting Hayes corner and a penalty appeal was turned down by the referee after Darts claimed for handball at the death.

Dartford: Sesay, Ming, L Gordon, Hyde, Hill, Vint (Barrington 81mins), Wanadio (Hayes 72mins), Wynter, Liburd (Marsh-Brown 69mins), Romain, McQueen. Subs not used: Crook, Bonner.

Concord: Haigh, Olufemi, Clifford, Roast (Blanchfield 52mins), Pollock, Cawley, Reynolds (Green 85mins), Wells, Elliot (R Gordon 80min), Woods, Nouble. Subs not used: Krasniqi, Howeh.

Attendance: 971.

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