Oxford United loanee Josh Johnson hits ground running to impress Dartford boss Alan Dowson in latest spell at Princes Park

Josh Johnson has received a glowing report from Dartford boss Alan Dowson - just one game into his latest loan spell.

The teenage Oxford United midfielder is back at Princes Park for a second time, having linked up with Dowson’s squad last season.

He scored on his return and was man-of-the-match in last Saturday’s 4-1 National League South win at Chippenham.

“JJ was our best player, he ran his socks off, scored a good goal and nearly got another one,” said Dowson. “He won the ball back and played it simple.

“I can’t praise the lad enough. Derek Fazackerley at Oxford, who helps us out a lot, said that he’d matured a lot over the summer and pre-season, but he’s had a little injury.

“He looked more like a man. One minute they’re like a shy kid who has gone out on loan and on Saturday he had a lot more maturity about him.

“He chased around, won balls, put his foot in, scored a good goal - all the things you want - and he gave us something extra in midfield.”

Experienced centre-back Moussa Diarra also turned in his best display since joining on loan from Barnet while two penalties from striker Harvey Bradbury should do wonders for his confidence.

“Moussa at centre-half had his best game so far,” noted Dowson. “It was the same when I signed him at Woking, when he first joined there he was shocking for two games. I know there’s a good player in there so hopefully he can show that now.

“I knew it would take him time as he missed a lot of time out through injury. He won every header and looked more like his old self. I knew he would come good.

“Harvey’s got himself two penalties just after he went clean through and I thought he should have scored.

“It’s going to do the world of good for his confidence, people will say it’s only a