Dartford manager Roland Edge reacts to 4-1 Isthmian Premier defeat at home to Carshalton Athletic on final day of the season

Dartford assistant manager Roland Edge admitted the daunting task facing his side on Saturday was a key factor in their display.

The Darts didn’t look like themselves during a subdued 4-1 home defeat to an excellent Carshalton side as they finished third in Isthmian Premier.

They needed both Billericay and Horsham to slip up or to overturn a huge goal difference deficit. Neither looked likely to happen, and they didn’t.

“It was a little bit of a kick in the teeth when you look at it,” said Edge on the final day equation. “You've had a fantastic season and you're on equal points.

“But you look at it and you think, well, if they've got to concede nine, we win 1-0.

“I don't care who you are, it does take a little bit out of you. But to be honest, if it takes it out of you and it takes it out of you on the last game of the season where you can't go up, you can't go down, it's the right time to do it.

“There isn't a right time, don't get me wrong, but I strongly believe when I played and obviously as assistant or whatever, sometimes losing can put that little fire back in you, which can sometimes go out if you're on a good run.

“You've got to take a positive from a negative. I think the boys in there know how much that hurt today.

“You don't become a bad side in one game. You've earned the right to be in the play-offs, which, let's be fair, every team in the league starts out with that in mind – reach the play-offs or win the league.

“So, they've done a fantastic job. Bad days happen, we’ll brush ourselves off and get ready for Wednesday.”

Reflecting on the 4-1 defeat to Carshalton, Edge had no complaints but knows it could have been a different story had substitute Jeremiah Pinder converted an excellent chance to make it 2-2