PHILPOT’S ON HAND WITH LATE LEVELLER
JAMIE PHILPOT came off the substitutes’ bench to grab an injury-time equaliser as Dartford prevented Billericay from going to the top of the Natinal League South.
Philpot headed home Ben Greenhaugh’s cross deep into time added on to cancel out Jake Robinson’s 49th-minute opener for the Blues.
“We fought well for the whole game and created chances throughout,” said a frustrated Town coach Chris Mead. “At the end, one error cost us — mistakes like that at this level will always be punished.”
In front of a season’s best crowd, The Darts started well and had an early chance when Tom Bonner headed wide from a corner. Greenhaugh's cross was headed just wide by Delano Sam-Yorke.
Town’s best early chance came when Danny Waldren played a through ball to Jake Robinson but he shot wide under pressure.
Town were awarded their first penalty on 28 minutes. A cross from the outstanding Callum Kennedy was headed back across goal and Darts keeper Deren Ibrahim knocked down Robinson.
The player took the kick himself but blasted it against the crossbar.
Soon after Sam Deering played Joe Kizzi through but his cross shot was palmed away by Ibrahim. The Darts came back with their best chance of the half when Amadoo Ba ran through from the halfway line before shooting wide.
Town took the lead soon after the break with their second penalty. As a corner came in from the right, Ronnie Vint pulled Adam Cunnington down in front of the referee. Robinson bravely stepped up again and made no mistake.
This sparked the home side’s best spell of the game, Alan Julian's goal kick was headed on by Cunnington who flicked it on to Robinson but this time he shot just wide.
A free kick from Callum Kennedy from the edge of the area flew just wide. The arrival of Philpott for Sam-Yorke on 86 minutes saw the visitors revived. Ba again had a good chance just over, and soon after he was close again after good work from Greenhaugh.
With the home side hanging on, a cross from Greenhaugh was missed by Doe and Philpot nodded home off the post .
Darts boss Adam Flanagan said: “It was a spirited contest. I was pleased with our performance, we gave a good account of ourselves.”
STAR MAN: Callum Kennedy (Billericay) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★