Dartford boss Alan Dowson knows side need to improve defending set-pieces after shock FA Cup defeat to lower-league Beckenham Town

Manager Alan Dowson knows Dartford need to address why they are struggling to defend set-pieces after they were dumped out of the FA Cup.

Two goals from corners saw early Isthmian South East high-fliers Beckenham - two leagues below the Darts - beat them 2-1 in the Second Qualifying Round at Princes Park on Saturday, despite an equaliser by striker Charlie Sheringham.

Conceding from set-plays has been an issue for Dartford - who finished the tie with nine men - since the start of the season and Dowson is keen to address the problem.

“Virtually every goal we have conceded has been from a set-play, we have not conceded a proper goal from open play,” he said. “But even a team from two leagues below, they scored from set-plays - that’s a concern.

“I’m gutted and, obviously, the players will be feeling the same. But we have got games galore now, we are not stopping.

“We said before kick-off ‘Don’t give them a sniff’. But we lost the first and second phase and they were 1-0 up. We then got back in the game but conceded from another set-play.

“In the game, they didn’t score but, from set-plays, they found a way to score. It’s just sloppiness from us.

“No team has been better than us, but we have conceded from corners and free-kicks. I’m massively devastated as a manager but we have got a week to work on it.

“We worked on it on Monday, it doesn’t take a genius to work out why we are working on it!

"We have to work on it until we get it right.”

Dowson admitted the buck, ultimately, stops with him and his management team - but he needs his players to show better leadership on the field, too.

He said: “We have got to take responsibility.

"I have kept players and signed players. I know I was late into the job but, whatever happens,