The tension is getting to Dartford’s players, admits boss Tony Burman.

There are just five games of the regular season to go and the Darts look set to be battling it out in the National League South play-offs.

However, they have taken just a point from their last two games and Burman feels they still need another win to secure a play-off place.

He said: “We should have won (on Saturday against Hemel Hempstead) but there is a bit of tension coming into our play and it is affecting some of the decisions the players are making.

“Rather than complicate things, we need to keep it nice and simple and get that bit of belief we are going to win.

“When things are going well you don’t question things but when they aren’t going well, a bit of anxiety can creep in.

“We are in a good position – we have been for a while now – and just need a few more points. We need to settle the nerves a bit and get back to playing good football."

Burman will want his team to have found top form before heading into the play-offs. They host mid-table Eastbourne on Saturday.

He said: “You want to go in there playing better than we are. There is still time for us to turn that around.

“It’s happening now and not at the end of the month, which is a good thing. It is up to us to support each other and make sure we consolidate that place in the play-offs."

Read the full story in Thursday's Dartford Messenger.