Before Saturday’s game against Bristol Rovers, it was all built up for Tony Burman’s 10-year anniversary as Dartford manager – and what a game to mark the occasion.

It was like a throwback from 10 years ago, with cold, wet, windy conditions and a heavy, muddy pitch. With the predicament we’re in – fighting at the bottom – and Rovers pushing for promotion, the pitch was always going to play a massive part in the result.

This is something we’ve become accustomed to, whereas Rovers are used to a carpet-like pitch and playing the flowing, passing football their supporters have come to enjoy. But that was not going to be the case on Saturday.

In the first 20 minutes they were firmly on top and, to our surprise, seemed to be handling the pitch conditions better than us without really threatening my goal.

However, in the 28th minute, the pitch played its first part in the game when one of the Rovers players knocked a hopeful ball forward. Nine times out of 10, Rory McAuley would deal with it, but this time it went through his legs for them to score.

What followed - for me - summed up Tony’s 10 years.

Backs against the wall, 1-0 down and underdogs, we started fighting back with the boys flying into tackles and balls going into the box from all angles.

I could sense nerves coming from their supporters while ours were getting louder. With the quality service coming from Ryan Hayes' left boot, we should have gone into half-time at least 2-1 up.

Coming out for the second half in our muddy kit and seeing them in their nice clean kit, we knew if we continued where we left off, with that never-say-die attitude, we would get a result.

Against the run of play, they got another bit of luck when we attempted a clearance that smashed against one of their players and flew past me.

Yet again, though, we continued to push and Ryan came up with a fantastic strike to level the scores.

I have been asked how I’d compare Tony with the managers I’ve worked with. They have different qualities as well as finances to give them the backing to do their jobs. And to them – as much as they care – it is just a job.

But when I first met Tony, he gave me the impression that Dartford is more than just a job and, having worked with him, I realise that it’s his life.

With the recent death of my dad, Tony has given me a tremendous amount of support and shown fantastic man-management. He has been a massive help to me through this difficult time and I will forever be grateful.

Congratulations, Tony!