Dartford caretaker manager Tony Burman has insisted there’s no substitute for hard work.

The Darts kept their first clean sheet of the season and picked up only their second victory at Concord last Saturday.

The result followed a hard week on the training ground under the stewardship of Burman and his long-time trusted assistant Paul Sawyer.

“They’ve applied themselves in the training sessions – there’s no magic wand,” said Burman. “I felt the players had to work harder as a team.

“I thought we were unlucky against Dorking Wanderers. Even though we lost 4-3, I really do feel that.

“The clean sheet was another encouraging sign. If you concede goals the way we had then you are going to lose games. Defensively we’ve worked a bit on that as well.”

The biggest improvement has already come in the squad’s fitness with Burman keen for Dartford to play on the front foot.

They can’t quite implement his style for 90 minutes but Burman felt they lasted longer against Concord than they did the previous week.

“The fitness in respect of how Paul and I want them to play was below what it should be,” explained Burman.

“In all fairness, the players agreed and that’s why they’ve worked hard in the sessions that we’ve had.

“We lasted a lot longer than the previous week but it’s not up to 90 minutes yet.”

Dartford welcome back Adam Cunnington from suspension for this Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round trip to Isthmian Premier Horsham.

Tom Bonner was expected to return to training this week following a groin injury but Lee Noble – who was harshly shown a red card against Dorking – remains suspended. The Darts appealed against his three-match suspension but they failed to get his dismissal overturned.

Horsham, who have conceded just five league goals so far this season, sit fourth.

“It’s a very difficult one but I’m pleased we are going there on the back of a good performance,” said Burman.

“I know we’ve got a difficult game – the fact they are in the league below us is irrelevant. They are a good side and I know some of their players.”

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