HOLDERS Gravesend & Northfleet start the defence of the BOSE Kent Senior Cup against tenants Dartford at Stonebridge Road tonight (Kick-off 7.45pm).

The two sides have already met once in cup competition this season when Fleet emerged 2-0 winners in the FA Cup.

Fleet will be missing striker Che Stadhart who is definitely out of the action for three weeks after a recurrence of a shoulder problem. The club's top scorer is set to see a specialist after failing to shake off the injury. Recent signing Simon Parker is also unavailable for the game.

Dartford manager Tommy Sampson hopes his rapidly improving young side can take their recent form into the second round tie and spring an upset.

Having taken 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four games, the Darts boss believes his players have every right to feel confident going into the game.