Ryan Hayes is determined to get the Dartford crowd back on his side by producing more moments like last Saturday’s late equaliser.

The winger curled in his first goal since March as the clock ticked past 90 minutes to earn the Darts a point against Hemel Hempstead after they’d trailed 2-0.

Hayes polarises opinions among supporters but that strike was a timely reminder of his match-changing qualities.

He said: "In previous years they’ve definitely been our 12th man – but we’ve always given them something to scream about.

"They’re never going to back us as long as we’re conceding goals or losing games. As long as we work hard and start entertaining, I’m sure they’ll be well behind us.

"You do get down when people are on your back. They have seemed to be on my back this season more than any other but you get through those bad stages and hopefully we can all crack on from here.

"We need to start winning games, picking up points and moving up the table."

Hayes has scored 88 goals in 454 appearances for the Darts but he doesn’t want to wait as long for his 89th.

Having hit the post and seen another shot well saved in the first half, no-one in the stadium was more relieved to see the ball finally hit the back of the net.

Hayes said: "I’ve not managed to do it for a while. I’ve waited ages for a goal and I’m over the moon that it meant we got a point.

"I thought the first one was in as soon as it left my foot but, luckily enough, the second one went straight in. We thought we were a bit unlucky to be 2-0 down at half-time and deserved a point."