Boss Ady Pennock has explained the decision to recall keeper Jacob Marsden for his first start of the season in Dartford’s FA Cup win.

Marsden returned between the sticks as first-half goals from Callum Jones and Eddie Dsane at Princes Park ensured the Darts progressed to the third qualifying round with a 2-0 victory against Isthmian South Central side Leatherhead last weekend.

Having sustained a groin injury in Dartford’s final pre-season friendly, Marsden had lost the No.1 spot to Sutton United loanee Matt Kerbey - until the Darts were thumped 5-1 at Dover the previous weekend.

Pennock said: “The reason I put Jacob back in was because Matt didn’t have the best of games at Dover. I thought, if I didn’t start Jacob on Saturday, I might lose him, mentally.

“Matt is only on loan so Sutton could call him back at any time and I was worried that Jacob wouldn’t be mentally right.

“But they have both done well. Jacob had his chance on Saturday - and he took it. Matt wants to stay, he wants to fight for his place.

“Anything can happen - injury, suspension and a lack of form. That’s the same in any position on the pitch.

“Jacob was great when he was out of the side and Matt was the same on Saturday.

"He was the first one on the pitch, congratulating everyone after the game.

“They’re two good lads. We just need to see if Sutton are happy for Matt to stay in the current situation.

"But I know Matt wants to stay.”

The Darts showed good character against Leatherhead after a derby to forget at Crabble but, for Pennock, it was all about the result.

He said: “It was a good win.

"To bounce back after the Dover result, it was a good performance but, more importantly, the result was good, as well.

“I did change it. I changed the system and some of the personnel, just to shake it up a little bit.

“I thought the Dover result was a freak result. We gave them five goals and we should have scored more than we did.

“But we just got back on it. Going through in the cup, it’s just all about the result.

“We’re into the next round - and that’s what it’s all about.”

While forwards Jones and Dsane were on the scoresheet, more than just their goals pleased Pennock from the duo’s displays.

He said: “We want them to score every week. But their work-rate has been exceptional, as well, and they’re getting their rewards for it.

“I think people miss that side of it sometimes.

"They just see the goals but the work-rate from both of them was brilliant.”

The cup clash against Leatherhead also saw playmaker Samir Carruthers make his first competitive start for Dartford since his summer return.

“He has been very patient because I’ve not thrown him in,” noted Pennock.

“Where he had a boot on in pre-season to help out with his heel, I’ve been looking after him with 20 minutes here and 30 minutes there.

“I knew he wouldn’t get through the full game on Saturday.

“He’s not fully fit - he knows that and I know that - but he was excellent with the bits that he did.”

The Darts have been handed a hard FA Cup third qualifying round trip to National League South side Worthing next weekend and sit two victories away from the first round of the competition and a potentially money-spinning tie against Football League opposition.

But Pennock said: “We will not be looking that far ahead!

“We have got a tough draw but, if you are going to go far in the competition, you have to win and progress through these tough draws.”

For now, Dartford’s focus returns to Isthmian Premier matters as they aim to build upon their encouraging early-season form at home to struggling Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday.

Pennock said: “It’s going to be a tough game for us.

“They’re bottom of the league but they don’t lose 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0 - it’s usually 2-1, 1-0 or 2-0.

“Their manager, James Collins, will have them organised and they have got some good players.

“You always look at the table after 10 or 12 games.

“Just look at Potters Bar, they lost 8-0 to Dover and they’re only one place below us now.

“That was a freak result - as was our one against Dover.

“It’s going to be a tough game and there’s no easy games in this league.

“But we’re at home and we will have a good crowd behind us.”