DARTFORD produced their best Dr Martens Eastern League win of the season with a 5-2 win over Erith & Belvedere at Park View Road, on Saturday.

The Deres were a goal up at half-time but they were overwhelmed by the Darts' second half display.

Darts boss Tommy Sampson said: "It was excellent. I had three players making their debuts and had six lads with not too many appearances between them. So to say it was a good result is an understatement.

"We looked bright, energetic, played with more belief and it all came together. I'm delighted. It shows we're moving in the right direction to be one down and come back like that.

"At half-time, I said to the lads if they don't believe in themselves, they can't get anything from the game. In the second half we were breathtaking at times. Now we need to make sure we win games whether they are breathtaking or not!

"There are eight or nine sides trying to beat relegation. We have to win our home games, so we are safe and can play without the pressure."

The Deres had the better of the opening exchanges and Tony Kessell had to be alert to tip over a cross from Darren Adams which was dipping into the top corner in the third minute and after 11 minutes Marvin Neufville saw his header flash just past the post.

Dartford's best chance of the first half fell to newcomer Dave Parsons in the 33rd minute, when his 35-yard volley was parried by Alan Hart. But the Deres took the lead two minutes before the break when Richard Vercesi headed home from 12 yards.

But what a transformation after the interval as the Darts rattled in four goals in 19 minutes.

First, Matt Smith's shot from the edge of the penalty area hit the crossbar and Richard Usherwood was at hand to tap in the equalsier after 50 minutes.

Karl Emerick then brought down Usherwood and Lee Jones converted from the spot and Smith made it 3-1 with an overhead kick, before Usherwood was brought down again by Deres' keeper Adam Hart and Jones scored his second from the spot.

The Deres were also awarded a penalty when Kessell brought down Adams and Chris Whitehouse scored from the spot, but Dartford had the final word when Chris Arnold smashed home a volley.

Deres' boss Mike Acland said: "It was a bad result. We played quite well in the first half, but did nothing in the second and got punished. It was a good game for the spectators but not good for me as a manager.

"We could have been three-up at half-time then we gave away three goals in seven minutes of the second.

"We were poor in the second half and need to sort it out. The penalties aganst us were pretty fair but I felt we should have had one of our own when Adams was taken down in the first half. We were on a good run before Christmas and then had a few games called off and lost three in a row. We are a very Jekyll and Hyde team."

On Saturday, Erith are at home to in-form Stamford with a 2.15pm kick off due to work on the floodlights.

Dartford host Rothwell Town at Stonebridge Road at 3pm.