Jake Robinson says Dartford’s defeat by Maidstone was a game of fine margins.

One goal settled the Easter Monday derby at Princes Park, with Jack Barham’s first-half header the difference.

It was a first defeat in seven for the Darts and saw them drop to fourth place in National South, a point behind rivals Ebbsfleet.

Striker Robinson had no complaints with the result.

He said: “Today was a game of fine margins and it was probably a fair result in the end.

“Generally, we’ve been hard to beat and have picked up results when we’ve needed to but we fell a little bit short.

“Maidstone were very organised, very well-drilled, we knew how they were going to play but they’re very good at it.

“A set-piece has decided the game and they missed a penalty which often swings the game back your way but it didn’t happen because I think Maidstone recovered well from it, they bounced straight back from it, and we didn’t create enough.

“I felt we were a little bit timid in the final third and I don’t think the goalie’s made a save, so I think the result is probably a fair one.”

Robinson had a short spell at Maidstone during their National League relegation season, three years ago.

• Report: Dartford 0-1 Maidstone

He always felt the Stones, who are four points clear at the top, and Dartford would be among the sides battling for promotion.

“I could tell from my time there how well the club was run and what a brilliant set-up it was, obviously too big for this level," he said.

“I knew they would do well this season and the seasons preceding it that were unfortunately interrupted.

“That was never a doubt in my mind.

“It didn’t work out at the time for me there, I’ve no issue with that, it’s one of those things that happen in football.

“Before the season started, you could have predicted who the top teams were going to be.

“It was always going to be Maidstone, Dorking, Dartford, and perhaps you were going to put Havant and Ebbsfleet in there as well.”