After losing the play-off Final last season to Dover Athletic, many thought that Dartford may struggle this but Ady Pennock’s side go into the final two games of the regular season just two points and one place outside the top six with all to play for.

With the Darts heading for Chichester City, they travel in fine form having lost just once in their last thirteen games, a run that included an Easter Monday win over fifth placed Chatham, who themselves are on the road as they go to already relegated Potters Bar whilst Brentwood in fourth and a point clear of Chatham are also on the road at Chesham.

But for the Darts, to still be in contention this late in the season marks a terrific effort from Pennock and his side as his number two, Roland Edge, explained to KSN this week ahead of the trip to Chichester.

“We’re in contention and in good form on a good run,” he told us. “I think that the League has got stronger this year with the financials that have gone into it. I’ve been around this league for a while now and I can’t remember there being two League Two players in the division before and this year both Folkestone and Billericay have done just that!”

“The money has increased – sides are full-time now and clubs have gone in and invested and that makes it so much harder.”

“We were devasted after losing the play-off Final last year – we had a slow start this which I think was part of that and other things at the start where players were offered better deals at other clubs who were still contracted to us which was a bit of a blow for us to start with.

“The players then got their heads down and got together as they are a good bunch and in no time, they clicked, and our form got so much better. Since that points Ady adding some more good players, I think that we have kicked on and done really well. The run hasn’t surprised me at all as the squad felt robbed last year but the way it ended with a few lead legs in the Final against Dover after a long season.”

“We missed some vital players too at the start but since they’ve come back, I do believe that we have got stronger and stronger and ideally,” Edge added grinning, “we would want the League to continue for another two months!”

“I can’t say we’re under any more or less pressure going into these two games. We know that we can’t make a mistake, the other teams know that too and so everyone bar Folkestone who could be on the beach right now, everyone is under pressure whether it’s to get a favourable placing for the play-offs or just to get into them!”

Image courtesy of Dartford FC