Dartford manager Alan Dowson praised his players after they went top of National League South for the first time on Tuesday night.

The Darts took derby honours with a stunning 5-1 thrashing of Welling at Princes Park, leapfrogging Ebbsfleet in the process.

The Fleet can regain top spot at Havant on Wednesday night but Dartford know victory over Braintree on Saturday will see them leading the way, albeit having played more games than the teams around them.

“Top of the table is great but full credit to the lads, players win things,” said Dowson.

“Managers try to give it the big ‘un sometimes but it’s the players that cross the white line. I’m not daft, I had my part to play and the supporters had their part to play but it’s down to the players.

“I’m the first one to have a crack at them and moan but when they put in a performance like that you’ve got to give credit to them. That’s why I find it hard doing interviews as the players should do them, it’s all down to them.

“I’m going to watch Havant versus Ebbsfleet, and something has to give somewhere. If Ebbsfleet win or draw they go above us. It’s not so much closing the gap as there’s stacks of time to go - this time last year everyone thought Dartford was going to win the league.

“We knew if we could get a run together, we could push a little bit but that’s all we’re doing at the moment, pushing.”

Dartford look a well-drilled side. Confidence is high, obviously, after nine wins and a draw in their last 10 games but it’s been a quick turnaround given the doom and gloom following the FA Cup exit to Beckenham in September.

Dowson’s squad looks full of quality with the likes of Charlie Sheringham, Dan Wilks and Marvin Herschel on the bench in midweek while Kristian Campbell couldn’t even force himself into the 16.

“It was awful when we got beat in the FA Cup,” said Dowson. “I was on a massive downer then and I said at the time I’ve given everybody a chance but now we’re going to do things my way.

“I remember saying to my staff this is how we’re going to do things. That’s changed the mentality around the club a little bit.

“I’m delighted. Surprised? Yes. I think everyone is surprised when you win that many games.

“We’ve got a good group of players, Samir Carruthers has to come back in, Charlie has done well, Kristian Campbell was very good at the start of the season and can’t get in the 16 at the minute, Alex Wall as well, young Marvin and Dan Wilks was player-of-the-year last season.

“It’s getting where I want it to be but after the FA Cup game I thought we were a long way off.

“I let it go a bit too long when I first came to the club. I didn’t think I recruited the best, I made a few mistakes. But now the side is playing the way I want them to, with guts and determination.

“We’re playing good football in the opposition half, and all that came out against Welling. But that’s not down to me, that’s down to the players.

“My job is just to manage them every day. When you win games like that, let the players take the credit.

“It’s the best we’ve played all season. We knew it would be tough and there were local bragging rights up for grabs as well.

“I thought we were sloppy on Saturday (against Weymouth) so I made a few changes and Luke Coulson and Davide Rodari came in and did very well. The young kid from Oxford, Josh Johnson is growing with confidence in every game and Jack Smith from Stevenage is doing better every game.

• Report: Dartford 5-1 Welling

“The keeper made a mistake but he made up for it with that save. I’m genuinely pleased, I thought we deserved it.

“I’m pleased for the supporters and people in the club, they desperately want to beat their local rivals so I’m glad we’ve done that.”