Dartford boss Steve King insisted they deserved to get all three points against Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

The Darts had three efforts cleared off the line – and should have been given a first-half penalty when Nassim L’Ghoul was barged over in the penalty area by Jack Paxman.

But they missed out on the chance to return to the top of National League South after a goalless derby draw.

“We deserved to win the game,” said King. “We had the best chances, three cleared off the line. We hit one that hit Chris Dickson, then Dickson scored – I don’t know if it was offside or not – Connor Essam’s header and Dickson as well.

“In clear-cut chances we were better, in plain black and white to see. As a game, it was end to end like a basketball match. Sometimes we looked better, sometimes they looked better.

“It was an ebbing and flow game. If there were 2 or 3,000 people in here they’d go away thinking they’ve seen a fantastic football game.

“Their approach play was maybe better but name me a clear-cut chance? I didn’t see it. I think Craig King made one save low down but other than that I didn’t see him make a save.

“It could have gone either way but I always look back at the clear-cut chances and we had three of them. They got around our box but what did Craig King do?

“Nassim could have had a penalty for me. We got into some great positions and the final ball wasn’t the right ball. We were two v three a couple of times and Dicko didn’t put the ball in.”

King, who felt his team could have had two penalties after L’Ghoul went down under Bobby-Joe Taylor’s second-half challenge, was bemused that Fleet substitute Reece Grant picked up a yellow card in stoppage time for leaving his foot in against Darts keeper Craig King.

“How can you have a yellow?” said King. “There’s no such thing as amber – you either kicked the goalie in the head or you didn’t. It’s red or nothing so that’s where I am with it.

“(It was) 72 minutes before their first yellow card for a foul? Nassim was running away in the 44th minute, it was a professional foul that we all do. It’s a yellow card for stopping a breakaway. For me, I don’t think (the referee’s) control of the game was the best.”

• Match report: Dartford 0-0 Ebbsfleet

• Fleet's Boxing Day workout for Darts derby

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