Wrexham showing no sign of last season's hangover

Accumulating 98 points and not getting promoted, you could forgive Blue Square bet Premier promotion chasers Wrexham for suffering an early season hangover following the despair of missing out on a return to the Football League.

However, things are shaping up nicely along the Welsh coast once more with the Dragons poised for another shot at promotion after a strong start to the new campaign.

A 3-0 victory over Barrow on Tuesday evening extended Andy Morrell’s side’s unbeaten run to nine games consolidating third place in the table and lying just three points from top spot.

Although two points were dropped during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Dartford, Wrexham made light work of their fruitless opponents in tough windswept conditions at the Racecourse Ground.

Holding the joint best defensive record in the division, assistant manager Billy Barr praised the steely determination of the Dragons back four.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Barr said: “After being frustrated on Saturday we've bounced back in the right manner tonight.

“I thought the backline were magnificent... it was difficult conditions, especially in the second half where they kept sticking it on the edge of our box, but we were brave, started high and defended well.”

Midfielder Jay Harris set Wrexham on their way to victory with a stunning 35-yard drive, with Andy Bishop and Rob Ogleby adding two second half goals making it a comfortable evening for the hosts.

Barr continued: “I doubt there will be a better goal scored at the Racecourse this season than Jay Harris's. As soon as the ball left his foot - we were right behind it - you could see it's going top corner.”

Morrell takes his side to newly promoted Nuneaton on Saturday with claiming top spot high on the agenda.

Second placed Forest Green Rovers visit the Racecourse Ground the following weekend in a crucial test of both sides’ promotion credentials.

With no Fleetwood Town to contend with this year, amassing 98 points will almost certainly see Wrexham back into the Football League.

The Welsh side’s strong start to this campaign suggests another season in and around the promotion picture is definitely on the cards.

Defiant Jewell keen to battle on with Ipswich

Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell has silenced any talk of him leaving Portman Road by insisting he will not quit the Championship strugglers.

Under-fire Jewell watched his side lose for the fourth time in seven league matches on Saturday, going down 2-1 at home to newly promoted Charlton Athletic.

The former Wigan Athletic and Derby County boss is eager to prove his worth to the Tractor Boys and vows to improve on a disappointing start to the new campaign.

“I'm not going to quit,” Jewell told BBC Radio Suffolk. “It's not an easy situation but I'm not going to chuck it in.”

The Ipswich boss was in a similar position during his spell at Derby, following relegation from the top flight, a season in which the Rams accumulated the fewest points in Premier League history.

Jewell was unable to reverse the fortunes of the club during his year and a half in charge at Pride Park.

He added: “I was at Derby for 18 months and I knew that I couldn’t turn that around. If I thought that it would be the best thing to do for Ipswich then I would walk away.”

Harry Redknapp has been touted as a surprise replacement for Jewell. The former Tottenham boss has a strong friendship with Tractor Boys owner Marcus Evans.

Jewell is undeterred by the speculation and remains focused on improving upon Ipswich’s recent struggles.

He continued: “You've got to face up to challenges in life and this is certainly a challenge for me and my family.

“But I'll dust myself down, come in tomorrow and prepare for the Barnsley game (on 29 September).”

Following Saturday’s trip to Oakwell, Ipswich travel to Gus Poyet’s table topping Brighton.

Jewell’s future could depend on whether the Tractor Boys pick up anything from either of these two tough games.

Knill seeking further Iron improvement

Scunthorpe United boss Alan Knill is keen to build on his side’s recent upturn in fortunes following an unbeaten sequence of three matches.

The Iron were rooted to the bottom of League One, after losing their first four games including a heavy home defeat to Garry Johnson’s surprise package Yeovil Town.

Two draws and a valuable first league victory of the season at newly promoted Shrewsbury Town merits a definite improvement, and Knill is looking to continue the Iron’s recent revival ahead of the visit of Colchester United on Saturday.

“Every team is capable of beating anybody in this league,” he told the club website.

“Look at the players they have in their side - the likes of Clinton Morrison, Freddie Sears and Marcus Bean from Brentford, they have some good players.

 “But every team in the league has good players, you look at the results every Saturday and say I didn’t expect so and so to beat them.”

Scunthorpe won the fewest home games in the entire division during the last campaign, picking up just five wins at Glanford Park.

With the League One outfit still looking for that elusive first home win this term, Knill acknowledges the fact that in order to bring success to the club at the earliest opportunity his side’s home form will be a determining factor.

He added: “It is massive, this is where we have to do it, look at all the good sides, they build their success on winning at home.

“Our form here has been pretty poor for a number of years and we need to turn that around.”

The Scunthorpe boss will be boosted by the news that midfielder Jimmy Ryan will be in the squad despite suffering a tweak to his hamstring.

Ryan’s influence has been a major part of the Iron’s improvement under Knill in recent weeks, along with on loan forward Leon Clarke, who scored his third goal in three games during the draw with Oldham on Tuesday.

Following the visit of John Ward’s Colchester, the Iron travel to financially stricken Portsmouth looking to build on their recent progression.

Powell unconcerned with Charlton slump

Championship side Charlton Athletic suffered their third consecutive league defeat at Derby County on Tuesday to slip into the relegation places, but manager Chris Powell says his players are more than capable of adapting to a higher level.

The newly promoted Addicks began their campaign in fine style, picking up a more than deserved point at promotion contenders Birmingham City on the opening day and then defeating Nigel Pearson’s Leicester in their first home match.

Recent defeats at Nottingham Forest, Derby and a home loss to local rivals Crystal Palace, has put pay to the London club’s good start and now Powell is charged with the task of rekindling the form that took the Addicks to the League One title last term.

“People will look at us as underdogs [with] a lack of Championship knowledge,” Powell told BBC London.

“We've nicked some good results this year but we've lost our last three and people will be thinking we are going to struggle.”

Charlton almost battled back to claim an unlikely point at Pride Park on Tuesday, trailing 3-0 after an hour Powell’s side scored twice in a two minute spell to set up a grandstand finish.

The Addicks boss is keen to take the positives from the final 25 minutes, in which the Londoners dominated proceedings without finding that elusive equalising goal.

Powell added: “Our season has got to be built on that 25 minutes, with more intensity to our play.

“Beforehand we were passive and I didn't recognise some of the decisions we were making. It wasn't befitting of a team I've been in charge of.

"But if we perform as we did in the last 25 minutes then things will turn sooner rather than later.”

The League One champions travel to fellow strugglers Ipswich Town on Saturday with Powell keen to adopt a fresh approach in wake of the three successive losses.

He continued: “It was as though we felt we had nothing to lose at 3-0 down, I think we’ve got to think like that at the start.”

“It’s three losses but I know how quickly things can change in football, we need to keep believing in ourselves.”

Following Saturday’s trip to Portman Road, Charlton face a resurgent Blackburn Rovers and Gianfranco Zola’s Watford in back-to-back home games at the Valley.

Brown bears the brunt of Wimbledon’s poor form

Npower League Two side Wimbledon have sacked long-serving boss Terry Brown and his assistant Stuart Cash as their dismal start to the season continued with a 1-0 home defeat to Torquay.

The Dons have lost five of their first seven league matches this term and sit just outside the relegation places.

Brown’s remarkable tenure in charge saw the club promoted three times in four seasons, guiding Wimbledon from the Ryman Premier Division into the Football League.

His five years at the helm of the reformed Dons, meant that Brown became the seventh longest serving manager in England.

Despite the unexpected announcement, the former Hayes and Aldershot boss is too look back on his time in charge fondly and is eager to get back into the game as quickly as possible.

Speaking to the club’s website Brown said: “Last night was a special moment as not many managers get to leave in such a way by saying goodbye to the supporters.

“I will remember five absolutely fantastic years at the club. I cannot say I have enjoyed this season as it has not gone well, but my abiding memory will be our three promotions.”

Following promotion to the football league 2011, Brown was quick to praise the loyal supporters who had revived the club after the original Wimbledon FC had relocated to Milton Keynes.

The former Dons boss takes a great sense of pride in leading Wimbledon back into the league after such bleak times.

He added: “I will never forget having the honour of being the manager who took Wimbledon back into the Football League.

“It is really important that whoever takes over this club understands the history of this great club and hopefully the next manager will win the matches to keep us in League 2 and maybe get us into League 1.”

Brown is determined to extend his five year affiliation with the Dons and will continue to support the club in any way possible.

He continued: “There comes a point when it is time to move on and maybe a club needs someone else.

“I may have a heavy heart at the moment, but I will be at Wycombe on Saturday supporting the boys.

“I will still look for Wimbledon’s results and will still come and visit even if Stuart (Cash) and I find another club.”

Brown’s emotional farewell does not diminish the fact that the Dons’ league form remains in critical condition.

Simon Bassey has been placed in caretaker charge, with the club already drawing up a shortlist of potential successors.

Wimbledon travel to Wycombe on Saturday looking for a first win since the opening day of the season.

Accrington Stanley visit Kingsmeadow the following weekend, with the Dons hopeful of naming a new manager in time to get their season back on track.

Ba salvages Toon point - but goal-line technology rears its ugly head again

Sepp Blatter’s decision to introduce goal-line technology by 2014 was greeted with a mutual sigh of relief around many Premier League grounds.

But at Goodison Park, Everton will be left to curse Fifa’s decision not to implement goal-line technology at a sooner date.

In truth, the home side could and maybe should have been out of sight at half time putting less emphasis on a matter that threatens to overshadow what was a pulsating contest between two in form sides.

Leighton Baines, fresh off his first England goal, maundered down the left hand side causing Newcastle’s replacement full back James Perch countless problems.

The threat from Baines was only part of the problem during a first half dominated by a rampant Everton side.

Clever link up play between the England full back and Steven Pienaar, produced the first goal with the latter skilfully back-heeling a pass straight into Baines’ path who drove his left footed strike into the far corner.

Alan Pardew, serving the first of his two game touchline ban, may have been ruing leaving out Demba Ba, with strike partner Papiss Cisse an isolated figure up front.

His mood would have decreased further had Kevin Mirallas’ drive found the net, the Belgium international’s turn and shot drifted just past the post, but the early signs were positive from the lively winger.

Cisse then spurned the visitor’s best chance volleying wide from inside the penalty area, while Baines was at the heart of the action again clearing off the line and denying Vurnon Anita a first Premier League goal.

David Moyes’ side had the third best defensive record last season, only bettered by both Manchester clubs, but Phil Jagielka’s presence was far more prominent at the other end of the pitch.

The central defender’s excellent, swerving strike gave Harper cause for concern but curled just past the post.

Newcastle were architects of the own downfall, guilty of conceding possession inside their own half.

Mirallas robbed Hatem Ben Arfa but his shot lacked significant power and was easily dealt with by Harper.

Ben Arfa had received the ball just outside his own penalty area highlighting his relative non-involvement, further illustrating Everton’s desire to keep the lively Frenchman in check.

Ba’s impact was instant, brought on for the ineffective Sylvain Marveaux, he set about channelling his frustration at being left out in the best possible fashion, as far as Pardew was concerned.

Receiving a well weighted Yohan Cabaye pass, the Senegalese forward stroked left footed beyond Everton keeper Tim Howard to equalise.

It was as though a different Newcastle side had emerged from half time, but Everton began to regain control on the hour.

Marouane Fellaini looked to have restored the home side’s advantage. The linesman’s flag denied the Belgian, although on replay Fellaini was level with the last defender.

That was just the start of it, Moyes’ fury would threaten to blow over as the moment of controversy hit Goodison Park like so many before it.

Victor Anichebe’s header appeared to be cleared from behind the goal line to infuriate the Everton crowd, the referee waved away the protests as the visitor’s quickly broke downfield.

Ben Arfa was denied by a brilliant Howard save, to the relief of the Everton players.

Anichebe struck what looked to be the winning goal two minutes from time, Steven Pienaar’s drilled pass was taken into his stride by the powerful forward and his low drive beat Harper to prompt the feeling of justice on Merseyside.

But Ba would have the final say, latching onto to Shola Ameobi’s chest-down he nudged his shot under Howard to rescue the Toon a point.

Ferguson in Posh firing line

With Peterborough sitting bottom of the Championship table pointless from their first five games, it would be an understatement to suggest that manager Darren Ferguson is under severe pressure even at this stage of the season.

Ferguson led the Posh back into the Championship two seasons ago via the playoffs and steered them to an encouraging mid table position during the last campaign.

But following Saturday’s 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Burnley, the former Preston boss has become the likely first candidate to receive the sack in the Championship this season.

“It’s simply not good enough,” Ferguson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

“Some of the players are not good enough, I’m carrying players and that’s the bottom line.”

The Posh are without a league win in 11 matches stretching back to the end of March, but Ferguson is determined to turn the club’s misfortunes around and start climbing the table.

He continued: “It's not all doom and gloom - we're not happy but there's a positive feel that we can get out of it.

“As a manager, I'm more determined than ever to make sure we climb the league.”

In response to Saturday’s thumping, Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony used his own Twitter account to publically empathise with the supporters, who had begun to voice their concerns following the defeat at Turf Moor. 

Various injury problems have had a profound effect on Peterborough’s poor start, but Ferguson has pointed to a lack of consistency as the main cause to his side’s shortcomings.

He added: “Some individuals have shown they're more than capable at this level - and some are being very inconsistent, in particular in our defending.”

The 40-year-old, son of Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, is currently in his second spell in charge at London Road.

He left by mutual consent in 2009 following an indifferent run of results, the club were relegated back into League One the same season.

Ironically, Ferguson was faced with a similar scenario at Preston North End, when he took over soon after leaving London Road.

Preston were engulfed in a relegation battle alongside Peterborough, and a 1-0 success over Ferguson’s former club went a long way to securing the club’s Championship status.

Just short of a year in charge, the Scot was relieved of his duties and re-joined the Posh leading them to playoff success.

Ferguson is keen to avoid relegation this time around and is hopeful that his players can begin to show some fighting spirit.

He continued: “I think a lot of the outside stuff is very, very negative but that's understandable and it's up to us to change the mindset of everyone.”

Peterborough face Bristol City on Tuesday evening before entertaining Wolves the following Saturday, and the London Road boss says his players must be ready for the challenge ahead.

He added: “We have a responsibility to our own fans to change that and we've got to start by getting out there, getting among them and by playing far better football than we did on Saturday.

“I've never shirked away from a challenge and I'm not going to start now.

“It's a totally different sort of challenge - I quite enjoy it in a way because I feel confident in my players' ability and my own ability.”

George vows to continue at Cambridge

After casting doubt over his Cambridge United future, manager Jez George has vowed to continue on at the Blue Square bet Premier promotion contenders.

Saturday’s humiliating 4-1 home defeat to Wrexham, left George questioning his desire to remain in charge at the Abbey Stadium.

But after a week’s reflection, the Cambridge boss has decided to fight on and improve the club’s recent run of results.

When asked to explain his remarks following last Saturday’s defeat George responded: “All that matters is what's right for this football club - that's all I've ever been concerned with.”

The Cambridge manager has spent six years working at the football club, he began by running the youth academy whilst overseeing a role as director of football.

Following the sacking of former boss Martin Ling, George was given the chance to fill the managerial hot-seat, on an initial caretaker basis.

An impressive end to the 2011/12, campaign landed George the role full time and so began his quest to get Cambridge back into the football league.

His self-confessed initial reluctance to take the job, did not deter George from the main principal behind the role, he would have the best interests of the club at heart and taking the managerial position was what was best for the football club.

He added: “We've assessed that all the way through and will continue to assess that - I do that every single day, regardless of winning, drawing, losing, because the most important thing is this football club.

“But this week the most important thing has been that people in positions of responsibility at this club show a little bit of character, a little bit of fight.

“If I don't do that, why would I expect any of the players to do it?”

Touted as pre-season promotion hopefuls, George had hoped that the U’s would build on last season’s efforts, when Cambridge narrowly missed out on the playoffs.

However, after eight games George’s side sit 17^th, nine points behind league leaders Macclesfield and without a win in five matches.

He continued: “What's important is Cambridge United Football Club and getting 11 players on that pitch (against AFC Telford) on Saturday fighting for the common cause, willing to run for 90 minutes and wearing that shirt with pride.”

With key players returning from injury and others back from loan spells elsewhere, George’s decision to remain in charge could coincide with a change in fortunes at the Abbey Stadium and a rapid rise up the table.

Rochdale struggling to adapt to Promotion billing

League Two side Rochdale risk not being part of the end of season race for promotion if there isn’t a significant improvement in results, according to boss John Coleman.

Coleman left fellow League Two counterparts Accrington Stanley for Spotland towards the end of last season, but couldn’t prevent Dale from being relegated back into the fourth tier.

Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Burton Albion leaves Rochdale 16^th, eight points behind early pacesetters Gillingham.

“It's a horrible start,” Coleman told BBC Radio Manchester. “Five points from five games is a horrible start.”

Despite three of Dale’s next four league matches being away from home, Coleman is fully aware that performances need to improve as quickly as possible.

He continued: “If you carry on like that and it goes on to 15 games, you're out of the equation. We've got to put it right and we've got to put it right quick.”

Supporters of Manchester based club have had to endure a difficult past year with financial uncertainties and eventual relegation from League One, and Coleman is determined to repay the fans that have stuck by the club in recent times.

He added: “We owe it to ourselves (to improve results) but, more importantly, we owe it to our fans.

“They've had a torrid 12 months and they don't deserve what they're putting up with. They're being taken from one extreme to the other.

“We've played some great football at times this season and we've played some abject stuff as well, most notably at Torquay, and then against Burton.”

Rochdale face Wimbledon on Saturday before making their first visit to Rotherham’s New York Stadium the following Tuesday.

A return to Spotland to face Dagenham and a tough trip to the table topping Gills, completes a difficult month for Coleman’s side.

Coventry shortlist nine potential successors

Since the departure of Andy Thorn last month, the race to become the new manager of League One strugglers Coventry City has attracted the attention of several potential candidates.

Thorn’s 16 month reign in charge at the Ricoh Arena was brought to an abrupt end following a difficult start to the Sky Blues’ first campaign in the third tier.

Coventry remain winless in five league games and sit just outside the relegation places, despite the recent problems on the field and the club’s precarious financial state, the Sky Blues have received a high volume of applications regarding the vacancy.

Nine names have been shortlisted, but it is not known as to whether bookmakers favourite, Oxford United boss Chris Wilder, is one of those to be interviewed.

It was thought that joint caretaker managers Lee Carsley and Richard Shaw would be in the frame for the job on a permanent basis, but with the former Premier League outfit still struggling to live up to their pre-season billing of promotion favourites, it is unlikely that they will be considered.

Coventry confirmed today that former Hull City and Preston North End boss Phil Brown will be interviewed for the job.

Brown has been out of football since leaving Preston last December and has openly stated his desire to return to the dugout in the near future.

The Sky Blues are yet to confirm whether a new man will be placed in charge before Saturday’s trip to Tranmere, it is that expected that Shaw and Carsley will lead the side if the vacancy hasn’t been filled beforehand.

After three successive draws to start the season, Thorn was relieved of his duties but little improvement has been made since.

The promotion favourites have slipped to two straight league defeats and narrowly averted a first round Johnstones Paint Trophy exit to Burton Albion, eventually prevailing on penalties.

Whoever is placed in charge faces a difficult task in guiding the West Midlands based club back into the Championship, in such a competitive division.

Minstermen triumphant in New York

York City became the first visiting side to leave Rotherham United’s New York stadium victorious after a hard fought 1-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over the Millers.

Matt Blair’s strike 10 minutes from time was enough to secure the Minstermen’s passage into the Northern section second round, leaving Rotherham boss Steve Evans to contemplate a first defeat at the club’s new ground.

Speaking to the club’s website Evans said: “It wasn’t good enough was it, but you’ve got to look at the context of the play. We’ve made five changes to save legs but we’ve dominated the second half.”

Both sides have made impressive starts to their domestic campaign’s with York in the top half of the Npower League Two table following two successive victory’s and the Millers in the playoff places boasting a perfect home record.

The first round cup exit could be a blessing in disguise for Evans’ League Two promotion favourites, with a few of first team regulars picking up slight injuries during last night’s defeat.

Evans continued: “We’re not sure if Mark Bradley has strained the fibres of a hamstring or whether it’s just cramp and (Kari) Arnason is away for Saturday so we’ve got some defensive worries but we’ve had to cope with key players missing since the start of the season and hopefully it will balance itself out.”

The Millers travel to Port Vale on Saturday looking for a first away victory under the former Crawley Town manager’s leadership.

York meanwhile entertain Chesterfield looking for a fourth straight victory in all competitions.

Birchall revels in Gills home debut

This time last season, Gillingham striker Adam Birchall was ready to make his Football League bow following his dream move from the non-league.

A ruptured cruciate ligament injury picked up during pre-season forced the former Dover Athletic forward to miss the whole of the last campaign, but during Saturday’s Npower League Two draw with Chesterfield, Birchall finally announced himself to the Priestfield crowd.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent Birchall said: “I worked so hard to get this dream move to Gillingham from non-league. I wasn't willing to give up on it.

“It's been a hard struggle to get to this point. It felt amazing.”

Birchall’s return to competitive action could have been made even sweeter if he had converted a late chance to extend the Gills’ perfect start to the new season.

He continued:  “It would have been the fairytale start (to score the winner) but I'd rather have a fairytale career here.

“The last couple of weeks my knee has been feeling a bit off. I've been given time to rest it and strengthen it and it’s been great.”

He added: “I was buzzing when I was told I was on the bench and I loved being out there.”

Birchall looks to be over the worse of his injury problems and remains confident that he can be a success at the League Two promotion candidates.

He continued: “I spoke with the main physiotherapist and he said it’s completely fine now and that’s all that I want to here. I can now start kicking on with my career again.”

Gillingham boss Martin Allen was delighted with the return to fitness of the striker, who netted 64 times in 78 appearances during a two year spell with Dover.

Allen said: “Adam's worked fantastically hard all summer. I love him around the training ground. He always smiles at me and is such a happy character.”

The Gills travel to Crawley Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this evening with Birchall hopeful of making a first start for the Kent club in the near future.

“When you've been out this long, you have to be so patient,” Birchall continued.

“The gaffer has been great, helping me through each step of my pre-season. Match sharpness is something that comes with games.

“It's about hanging in there, showing what I can do in training, hopefully catching the management team's eye and see where it takes me.”

Birchall returns to a winning side who sit top of Npower League Two after an impressive start under new management.

Even so, the striker is under no illusion that the Gills face a difficult task in remaining top of the pile heading into the second part of the season.

He concluded: “It feels good to be top of the league but it’s all about being there at the end of the season, we have a lot of hard work to come.”

Slade urges for Orient improvement

Npower League One outfit Leyton Orient slipped to their third successive league defeat losing 1-0 to Crawley Town on Saturday, leaving manager Russell Slade to bemoan the lack of quality within the final third.

The O’s have hit the net just once so far this term and Slade insists his side must improve in order to avoid a season on the threshold of the relegation places.

Speaking to BBC Radio London post match Slade said: “We were certainly in there for at least a point and that would have been commendable after a tough game on Wednesday.

“Arguably we should have got a goal in the first period, but we looked a bit tired and leggy towards the end of the game.”

The slender defeat to Crawley was the London club’s second consecutive 1-0 loss following Wednesday’s defeat to Stevenage, and although Orient restricted their opponents to only a handful of efforts on both occasions, Slade was left ruing his side’s lack of a cutting edge.

He continued:  “There’s nothing in the games, the last two games it’s been 1-0 and we’ve reduced Crawley to only one or two chances today.

“We didn’t create enough ourselves I think we need a bit more belief in and around the box, a bit more quality.”

Leyton Orient’s lack of creativity has left them submerged within the relegation places with tough games just around the corner.

Slade takes his side to promotion contenders Swindon Town on Saturday before two home matches with neighbours Brentford and early pacesetters Yeovil Town.

Rampant Darts bag third straight win

It’s amazing how the fortunes of a newly promoted club can change after claiming a first victory.

Three games in and Blue Square bet Premier side Dartford were languishing at the foot of the table still looking for their first points of the new season.

But a hard fought 1-0 win over winless Kidderminster last weekend seemed the perfect tonic to kick start the Kent club’s debut season in the top flight of non-league football.

Backed up by an impressive 2-1 success at promotion chasing Cambridge United on Bank Holiday Monday, Saturday’s 5-1 hammering of Alfreton Town was the Darts third straight league victory, propelling them into the top half of the table.

Dartford boss Tony Burman was full of praise following Saturday’s clinical performance and believes the three straight wins will give his side plenty of belief heading into a difficult sequence of matches. 

He said: “We felt this could be a massive three points because of all the travelling we’ve done and the games coming up. I think the guys played well and deserved what they got today.”

Burman added: “The players do work hard and when the supporters see that, it encourages them, and I think they got their just rewards today.”

Dartford’s recent revival suggests that Burman’s side is certainly capable of competing at a higher level.

The fact that expectations are minimal at Princes Park, relieves any added pressure giving the Darts an excellent chance of avoiding an immediate return to the Blue Square South Division.

Burman continued: “We all know this will be a tough, tough season, and we’ve got some massive games coming up.

“Last week at Cambridge, it really hit me that we competed in this league. We’re going to enjoy it, no matter what the results we’ll enjoy ourselves, but we’ve got to work really hard for the results.”

With four matches against sides in and around the playoff picture just around the corner, Burman is under illusions that he must continue to try and strengthen his relatively small squad.

He added: “Next week, we can bring players in on loan, which is probably what it is going to be, as we’ve got a small squad, and I want to look to improve it.”

Looking ahead to matches against leaders Newport County, Gateshead and promotion favourites Hereford and Wrexham, the Dartford boss is confident that in maintaining a high level of team spirit, his side can continue to pick up results.

Burman concluded: “We insist on a good team spirit. When you win games, you win them together and it’s the same if you lose. I want my teams to work hard, and they do that, and that brings their qualities out.”