DARTFORD added another to the list of away wins Tuesday evening at Maidsone, making it 12 from 13 on the road this league campaign.

With Alan Flanagan still hors de combat and Jamie Coyle in Barcelona with Dartford Whites, Elliot Bradbrook was drafted into the central defender role and wore the captain’s armband with distinction.

Danny Dafter and Ryan Hayes made starts and slotted into place seamlessly. On the bench, Adam Malloy gained further experience of the Premier Division atmosphere.

Maidstone played with the swirling, icy wind at their backs but soon found themselves behind.

Ryan Hayes made on or two incursions along Darts’ right flank before unleashing a thunderous cross, which Lee Burns headed equally thunderously past Andy Walker in the home goal on 10 minutes.

Thereafter, it was reminiscent of Boreham Wood. Darts controlled the game and, though the home side looked pretty in their approaches, they never really put the league leaders under any serious threat.

Andrew Young managed his second clean sheet in as many away games.

In fact, Darts are now conceding just a goal a game, which is generally thought to be about right for a championship season.

The pitch was deceptive in that it was flat and looked firm.

There were, however, areas which had been sanded and these became quite tacky underfoot as the game wore on.

At the end of the day, it was mission accomplished with only a minor scare when Burns appeared to take a knock and was replaced.

The return fixture could be more competitive as the home side have four experienced, currently sidelined, players who will be in contention for places at Princes Park.

Certainly the new Stones management team are imposing a positive attitude among the players, which will only gain momentum as time goes by.

Dartford: Young, Burgess, Gross, Bradbrook, Beales, Dafter, Hayes, White, Haworth (Tait 80), Burns (Rook 70), Harris. Subs not used: Noble, Johnson, Malloy. Att: 371.