Dartford may be top of the league but Tony Burman is demanding more from his players ahead of Saturday’s trip to struggling Poole Town.

The top eight clubs in National League South are covered by just four points so Darts know anything less than victory in Dorset is likely to cost them top spot.

Dartford are the league’s top scorers and they boast the best goal difference but recent results have been mixed.

Their 4-1 win over Gloucester was sandwiched between a 3-1 defeat at Truro and a 3-3 draw at home to Wealdstone and Burman wants to raise the standard.

He said: “The league is crying out for someone to go on a run. Each week, the results become stranger for the teams in the top few places and I’ve got to really start to look at it.

“We’ve got to start trying to be consistent. We’ve done all right but I want better than all right and the players know that.

“Some of the performances have been below-par and you have to go through that in a season. Hopefully, you put things right and I’m sure we’ll be able to do that and have a run where we’re picking up wins instead of draws.”

Poole’s home record is the worst in the division – three draws and six defeats – and they go into the game sitting in the final relegation place.

But Burman warned: “Poole are a good side and they’re playing a lot better than their league position suggests. It’s a big pitch down there and I’m expecting a tough game.

“We’ve got to go to these away games and start picking up more points. Rather than drawing, we’ve got to try to win the games.

“If you want to be involved at the top of the league and win things, the next couple of months are very telling. It’s now that you’ve got to pick up points.

“Pitches and the weather start to change and you’ve got to be in there trying to win each game.

“We’ve had a little spell where it’s been below-par and we’ve got to get back to playing really well. We’ve got to stop conceding goals and get back to having clean sheets.”

Midfielder Lee Noble is suspended but defender Ronnie Vint is available after missing the FA Trophy win at Brentwood through injury.

Having come from behind to beat the Essex side 2-1, Dartford will be at home to National League side Boreham Wood in the first round on Saturday, December 16.