Dartford must treat Alan Dowson’s return to Princes Park as just another game.

That’s the view of his successor, Ady Pennock, as Darts prepare to host Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.

Dowson was sacked in January with the club 16th in National League South, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, having finished runners-up in his first season in charge.

They’ve since dropped into the bottom four with caretaker boss Tony Burman unable to turn their form around and Pennock losing his first three games.

Dowson was named Hemel manager until the end of the season a fortnight ago, offering his services for free, and makes a swift return to his old club this weekend.

It adds a bit of spice to what’s already an important game but the hosts can’t afford to get caught up in that.

Asked about Dowson’s return, Pennock said: “It’s nothing to do with me, it’s nothing to do with anything here. It’s a game of football and it’s all about the three points.

“We’ve got to respect what anyone’s done here.

“There’s no point pointing fingers because it’s all about now, not then and what’s just gone.

“We have to focus on us, not on other things that are going on. We’re worried about Dartford Football Club. We’re not worried about anything else.”

Pennock is a couple of weeks into the job, his first back in English football since returning from a five-year stint in Brunei with DPMM, where he won the Singapore Premier League.

The game hasn’t changed that much, while Pennock is working hard to make further additions to the squad.

He’s already signed defender Ronny Nelson on loan from Colchester and striker Jordan Greenidge from Tonbridge.

“I think people were worried about the contacts I’ve got,” said Pennock. “My God, I’ve got contacts coming out my earholes and these are big earholes, but football’s football.

“I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve been to the top of football (coaching in the Premier League at Stoke) and obviously to the lower leagues. I started at Welling and it was fantastic, so I know what to deal with.

“I’ve been involved in part-time football before and I’ve obviously been in professional football before but it’s no different, we still want to win.

“I don’t care who it is, you ask my grandchildren if Grandad wants to win a game of whatever it is.”

Pennock feels Dartford are still an attractive club for players, despite their battle to avoid relegation. And while he’s been aiming high in the market, it’s always worth testing the water.

“It’s tough because I’ve asked players and clubs if they could come,” said Pennock.

“I want them here and they’re good-quality players but not everyone wants to come this low.

“With all due respect, this is Conference South, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

“Ronny, who’s come in from Colchester, a 20-year-old boy, has been fantastic in the two games he’s been here. Jordan Greenidge is another one.

“They’re big players for us. OK, results haven’t been what we want but they will turn. I’m confident they will turn.”

Dartford, who lost their Kent Senior Cup Semi-Final to Maidstone 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday night, visit Truro in a rearranged league game next Tuesday (7.45pm).