By Callum Townsend Dartford had Paul Rooney sent off as they were beaten by two second-half goals against Braintree on Tuesday night.
It was a third straight home defeat in all competitions for the Darts. Dartford looked to start on the front foot in an attempt to build on a mostly-positive FA Trophy performance on Saturday.
They pressed intensely from the off, fashioning their first chance of the game as Lewis Manor flicked the ball onto Max Statham on the right wing, but he could only manage to meet the gloves of Jack Sims with his cross.
Manager Alan Dowson’s Dartford defence soon discovered the dangers Braintree possessed when attacking down the left. Tom Blackwell and Aaron Blair proved to be a troublesome duo throughout the half and often combined well, particularly as they crafted a corner from Blackwell’s cross following Blair’s flick through the legs of Baris Altintop.