Dartford 0 Chippenham Town 0 (Chippenham won 3-2 on penalties) match report: Darts lose play-off eliminator in penalty shoot-out

Dartford suffered penalty shoot-out agony in the National League South play-off eliminator on Thursday night.

The Darts failed to find a way through Chippenham in 120 minutes and then saw three penalties saved in the shoot-out as the visitors advanced to Sunday's play-off semi-final at Ebbsfleet.

Chippenham came into the game with no expectation or pressure after clinching their play-off berth on the final day of the regular season. But that only served to make them dangerous opponents to face.

They should have taken a second-minute lead but Joe Hanks, afforded a free header six yards out, could only direct Jordan Young’s right-wing corner straight at Darts keeper Reice Charles-Cook, who was selected ahead of player-of-the-year Dan Wilks.

The visitors settled quickly, winning another corner before Dartford had their first chance on 12 minutes. Samir Carruthers closed the ball down in midfield and it fell nicely for Dan Roberts, who beat the offside trap. But the forward hesitated as he lined up a shot on goal and Will Richards blocked his attempt before keeper Will Henry pounced on the loose ball.

Chippenham should have led just 60 seconds later but the unfortunate Hanks blocked Alefe Santos’s goalbound shot on the line.

Dartford were without the injured Jordan Wynter (hamstring) so boss Steve King fielded left-sided Kristian Campbell at right-back and Olu Durojaiye started in central midfield after impressing there at Eastbourne last weekend.

Campbell cut in and had a left-foot shot blocked behind for a corner to rouse an otherwise quiet home crowd.

Too often the Darts overhit forward passes, but give credit to Chippenham, whose exceptional form showed no sign of fading after a goalless first half.

The lively Santos