Dartford fans have been urged to stick with their team and manager Tony Burman as dark clouds gather over Princes Park.

Supporters vented their anger on Saturday after the Darts crashed out of the FA Cup at home to minnows Uxbridge.

Burman’s side, relegated from the Conference in April, have won just one of their last six games and are 13th in Vanarama National League South with a quarter of the season gone.

Exiting the cup without claiming a penny in prize money is likely to affect Dartford’s playing budget for the rest of the campaign but co-chairman Steve Irving believes Burman will get things back on track.

"I’m still going to back him," said Mr Irving. "He made changes during the summer, he brought in younger players, which is what the fans wanted and gave former academy players their head.

"Have faith and consider what the man’s done over a long period of time. We’re in a difficult period and we’re going to give youngsters a chance so while we do that, have faith in the man who’s taken the club on leaps and bounds.

"We desperately need the supporters to stick with us, to come along and support the team, so we can get back onto the platform that we all want to see."

Attendances have been dropping at Princes Park and there were only 503 supporters on Saturday.

Burman said: "It is quiet, we know that, and you can see the black cloud coming over again.

"The crowd have always backed everyone up but at this moment in time, they’re getting as frustrated as anyone. When we miss a chance in the first five or 10 minutes, you hear the groans."

Those who did stay behind at the final whistle made their opinions known. One fan got involved in a heated exchange with defender Lee Burns and others questioned the co-chairman.

Mr Irving said: "There were a few vocals. I heard one or two. Everybody gets disappointed but I don’t think throwing abuse at individuals helps.

"The dark cloud here is the same dark cloud which has been there for the last two seasons.

"There is a small minority of people who seem to take a little bit of joy in not being successful, who do criticise and have their say. It’s a small minority, they’re entitled to their views and we, as directors, are prepared to talk to supporters.

"I didn’t hide from supporters on Saturday.

"Some of them said ‘isn’t it time for a change now and that one or two of the old guard were let go?’

"There are one or two of the older players who haven’t been on top of their game but I don’t think it calls for a mass cull. We need that experience to help the youngsters learn the game."

Read the full story in the Dartford Messenger.