Dartford boss Steve King prepared for final-day battle in race for top-three finish in National League South

Dartford manager Steve King won’t be surprised if the battle for third place goes down to the wire.

The Darts and rivals Ebbsfleet are battling to land third spot in National League South, and with it a home play-off semi-final.

Fleet currently lead King’s Dartford by a single point but with three games remaining, anything could happen.

Dartford travel to Slough this weekend and then host Braintree on Monday while the Fleet host Chippenham on Saturday before travelling to relegation-threatened Billericay.

The race could be decided over the Bank Holiday fixtures but King knows Dartford can only focus on themselves.

“We’ve just got to look after our own results, and what will be will be,” stated King. “It’s out of our hands.

“Whoever finishes third and fourth gets the home game which will be an advantage so that’s still a positive, but that extra point is the difference right now.

“I think both teams are probably relaxed as they’ve already made it to the play-offs.

“When you look at their games this weekend, Chippenham are in eighth place and going for the last play-off spot so that’s a tough one.

“Then on Monday, Ebbsfleet face Billericay who are fighting for their lives so there’s still mileage in it I reckon.

“We want to finish as high as we can. We’re trying to get third but it’s going to be tough.

“I think it will go down to the final day. There might be another twist or turn still to come yet, anything can still happen.”

Both teams are also in form. Dartford have lost just once in eight league games while the Fleet have won their last four matches.

But again King is also trying to bring players back into his squad who have been missing through injury. The likes of Danny Leonard, Luke Allen and Jernade Meade all need