TAKING on Ryman One North leaders Darford with a full-strength squad would have proved a tough task for Iain O'Connell's village side. Approaching the task without three of his key players turned out to be Mission Impossible.

Top scorer Martin Tuohy and James White were ruled out by suspensions and the latter's midfield colleague Sam Clarke missed the action due to illness.

Dartford brought more than 200 fans to Burroughs Park to give Wakering a best of the season 305 attendance. The perfectly-behaved visiting supporters boosted Rovers' coffers by staying well into the evening enjoying the alcoholic delights of the clubhouse and celebrating three more points to take them closer to the title.

After Eddie McClements had gone close, a spectacular effort from deep on the right by man-of-the-match Ryan Hayes gave the Kent men a 10th-minute lead.

Hayes made it 2-0 with a header five minutes before the break, but Wakering gave a good account of themselves - particularly in the second-half.

The homesters gave a debut to new signing from Canvey Matt Reade and might have reduced the deficit on 42 minutes when James Foy, set-up by Neil Richmond, fired just over.

A superb 66th minute curling shot from Richmond, which produced a magnificent save from visiting keeper Tony Kessell, was the nearest Rovers came to a goal.

But the day belonged to Dartford, who might have added to their tally on 62 minutes when Jay May hit the underside of the bar and seven minutes later when Phil Williams was foiled by a great save from home stopper Louis Green.

The defeat means that Wakering have still only won two home games in the league all season.

They have prospered better on opposition territory and will hope to continue that record when they go to two rivals below them in the league - Tilbury tomorrow and Potters Bar on Saturday.