10-man Dartford defied the odds to edge past a valiant Brentwood Town, sealing the contest with an 89th-minute winner from Eddie Dsane at Princes Park.
The hosts raced into a commanding first-half lead, with Sam Okoye and Olly Box both on target to make it 2–0 before the half-hour mark. Brentwood were handed a lifeline just before the break as Kymani Thomas netted his eighth goal of the season.
Dartford’s task of holding onto their lead grew more difficult when Sam Odaudu was shown a red card with 25 minutes remaining, and the visitors ramped up the pressure. Danny Ogunleye hauled Brentwood level after the restart, giving the Blues renewed belief, only for substitute Eddie Dsane to strike late on – just before second-half stoppage time – to snatch the points in heartbreaking fashion.
It was a nightmare start for the Blues as Dartford took the lead inside two minutes. Okoye’s first-time effort took a wicked deflection off Ethan Kaiser, sending the ball beyond the helpless Aiden Prall.
Brentwood responded well to the early setback and almost drew level just three minutes later. Wyan Reid’s cross into the Dartford box was nearly turned into the hosts’ own net by Okoye, the ball ricocheting off the post before falling into the grateful arms of Jonny Henly.
It was Dartford, however, who struck again. Henly’s searching free-kick from deep inside his own half was worked well by the hosts and, despite Prall producing a smart save to deny Dan Smith, Box was on hand to calmly convert the rebound and double the advantage.
Brentwood refused to fold and continued to press for a way back into the contest. Ogunleye went close with a close-range effort that was saved by Henly, before Louie Johnson’s follow-up from the edge of the box was deflected clear.
The visitors’ persistence was eventually rewarded just before the break, as Thomas pulled a goal back. After briefly getting his feet muddled, the forward produced a moment of real quality, curling a composed effort into the top corner and leaving Henly rooted to the spot.
The Blues began the second half on the front foot, pressing hard in search of a way back into the contest. Alejandro Machado and Johnson both went agonisingly close on multiple occasions within the opening five minutes as Brentwood threatened to restore parity.
With 25 minutes remaining, Dartford were reduced to ten men when full-back Odaudu was shown a second yellow card for a foul on captain Matt Cripps down the right flank.
Keith Rowland reacted swiftly, introducing debutant Scott Kashket, who had signed from Canvey Island earlier in the week, and the forward made an immediate impact. Brentwood broke on the counter from a Dartford corner, Kashket collected a loose pass on the halfway line and surged beyond his marker, doing brilliantly to keep the ball in play before squaring a perfect cross into the box, which Ogunleye powered home with a header to draw the visitors level.
With the scores level and 15 minutes of normal time remaining, it looked as though Brentwood were the side most likely to go on and win the contest. Scott Kashket went agonisingly close to marking his debut with a goal, dragging his effort just wide, before Johnson then forced a strong save from Jonny Henly with a powerful strike moments later.
Dartford made a late change with five minutes remaining, introducing Dsane in place of Dan Smith, and – cruelly for the Blues – it was the substitute who would have the final say. Just four minutes later, Brentwood were dispossessed down the right flank, allowing the hosts to break at pace before Dan Carter teed up an unmarked Dsane, who calmly slotted home to secure the points.
Brentwood Town return to league action this Tuesday as they travel to face another play-off contender Chatham Town, with a second consecutive trip to Kent awaiting.
DARTFORD: Henly (C) (GK), Okoye, Whitefield, Tennent, Odaudu, Carruthers (Carter 61′), Olopade, Bland (McLeod 68′), Jones, Box (Olarewaju 66′), Smith (Dsane 83′)
Subs not used: Eze
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Hudson, Machado (Hughes 83′), Freeman (Cole 73′), Johnson, Thomas, Vaivada (Kashket 67′), Ogunleye
Subs not used: Pollock, Brooke
Words by Michaela Georgopolous & Chris Berry
