Dartford improved their playoff hopes after seeing off Kent rivals Ramsgate on Tuesday night.
A first half goal proved the difference for the hosts against the Rams’ 10 men, despite a late scare.
The visitors started the better of the two sides. Captain TJ Jadama saw his shot from the edge of the box drift wide before Alfie Paxman clipped the crossbar from an unopposed effort.
Dartford weathered the early storm and grew into the game, seeing a host of chances created down their left-hand side through Olly Box and Dan Carter.
It was from the left where the Darts crafted the breakthrough. Striker Dan Smith’s low-driven cross snuck through the Ramsgate box for Denzelle Olopade to guide the ball home in the 20th minute.
Rams keeper Dillon Addai kept a second out just 10 minutes later as he clawed Joe Tennent’s header off the line.
Momentum swung back in favour of the visitors in the closing stages of the first half, but the Dartford backline and stopper Jonny Henly were able to see out their one goal lead into the break.
Lee Martin was evidently dissatisfied with his side’s showing, as he opted to make a triple change at half-time.
One of his substitutes did not last long, however. After a scrappy start to the second interval, Solomon Ogonwomoju was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Olopade.
In response, the freshly introduced attacking duo of Eddie Dsane and Rohan Vaughan were able to stretch the game with the Rams down to 10 men.
Ramsgate provided quite the scare for those of a Dartford persuasion as the game became more open. A scramble in the box from a free kick saw an open goal opportunity for Benny Bioletti, but his attempt from six yards sailed over the bar.
QPR loanee Vaughan had the chance to seal the game in stoppage time. Following a breakaway with Dsane, he found himself with only Addai to beat but somehow sliced his shot wide.
A Henly claim from a last gasp Ramsgate corner signalled the full-time whistle, and the Darts emerged with a second Kent derby victory in a row.
The win saw Pennock’s side move within three points of the playoff spots with a game in hand over Billericay.
Dartford: Henly, Okoye, Tennent, Winfield, Odaudu, Olopade, McLeod (Williams 79’), Jones, Carter (Vaughan 68’), Box (Dsane 68’), Smith.
Ramsgate: Addai, Brown, Clifford, Gayle, Higgs (Ebuzoeme 46’), Munday, Cundle (Bioletti 46’), Jadama, Onu (Ogonwomoju 46’), Paxman (Penney 77’), Napa (May 62’).
Attendance: 1,053.