Manager Ady Pennock has hailed the contribution of his whole squad at Dartford

While the likes of Olly Box and Samir Carruthers have been standout performers during the Darts’ title-chasing season, Pennock’s paid tribute to every player.

The Dartford boss has had to shuffle his pack at times but everyone’s stood up and been counted.

It means there will be disappointed players not starting at home to Dover today (Good Friday).

“It's what we want,” said Pennock on the options available to him. “It’s a lovely situation and I’d rather have it this way and think someone’s suspended or out of form.

“In any interview, I’ve never said the team has done this or an individual has done that - it’s always been about the squad. Everyone has put a shift in.

“They know the situation, I’m always honest with them and talk to them individually as well as collectively.

“When I go to the changing room before every game to announce the team, the person who isn’t going to be playing from last week, I’ve already had that conversation so they’re not surprised.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve got the right characters in and they just want what’s best for the team - it’s not an individual thing. Obviously, people will be disappointed if they’re not going to start but, like Whitehawk last week, I made some changes where people were surprised but it worked.

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“We had the coach and the whole squad turned up. I did a matchday squad of 18 players but the whole squad turned up, they didn’t want to sit at home and be on their PlayStation, they all wanted to be a part of it. That’s what it is all about.”

Pennock’s man-management has been one of the key ingredients that has pushed Dartford to the thick of the title race.

“It's telling people the truth and I don’t hide from that fact that I tell people that,” he added.

“It’s what I think. Some people don’t like the truth if they’ve got egos but I deal with people how I want to be dealt with on a personal level.

“That’s how I deal with players, I don’t fool anybody. I don’t always get it right, it’s on my head to get it right, but that’s why we love the game.

“I think honesty is the best policy in any walk of life, whether you’re a bricklayer, builder, postman, if you treat people how you want to be treated then you won’t go too far wrong in life.”