Dartford 1 Slough Town 0 match report: Keiran Murtagh scores early winner in National League South

Dartford edged past Slough thanks to an early goal on Tuesday night.

Keiran Murtagh's header was the difference between the sides at Princes Park as Darts remain 11 points behind leaders Ebbsfleet in National League South.

Dartford made four changes from the team that drew 1-1 at Braintree on Saturday.

Alex Wall was back from suspension, Murtagh and Malachi Napa also started along with right-back Isaac Ogundea.

It was Ogundea who made an immediate impact, winning an early free-kick down the right wing as he was finally fouled by Tyrese Owen in the eyes of the assistant referee.

Luke Coulson’s free-kick found the Slough defence playing musical statues and Murtagh headed in from close range to give Dartford a fourth-minute lead.

Slough’s management took their frustration out on the assistant but might have been better served concentrating on how better to defend from Coulson’s deliveries into the area.

Elliot Benyon turned the ball wide at the far post for Slough, who looked for an early response but thereafter Dartford should have extended their advantage.

A right-wing cross by Ogundea, who looked calm and assured, found Napa whose deflected shot fell perfectly for Wall to turn in from close range, only for the offside flag to cut short any celebrations.

Wall then took advantage of a slip by centre-back Lee Togwell, getting ahead of Temi Eweka before squaring for Napa whose first-time shot was pushed away by keeper Will Dennis.

Coulson’s corner caused problems again in the Slough defence, Tom Bonner’s header back was cleared before Napa was nearly in after clever play by Coulson found space in the box.

Napa should have made it 2-0 eight minutes before the break. Slough were preoccupied with pulling Wall’s shirt and forgot