Dartford 0-1 East Thurrock United

(Higgins 20’)

From Princes Park

National League South

SAM Higgins scored the only goal of the game to continue East Thurrock United’s outstanding start to the season going at Dartford.

A goal after 20 minutes proved enough against a side expected to be among the front-runners for the title this season.

Although Rocks had started the season superbly and were looking to close the gap on early leaders St Albans City.

A perfect start to the season had lifted Rocks to second, but they knew they were in for a tough ask in Kent.

Warren Mfula felt he should have been awarded a penalty with just nine minutes on the clock but the home attacker saw his appeals waved away.

Darts stopper Jordan Beeney had been underemployed in the home goal but Rocks scored with their first real attempt of the afternoon.

The keeper initially made a good save after 20 minutes but Higgins was on hand to tap home the loose ball.

Tom Bonner headed wide for the hosts, who were getting increasingly frustrated.

Dartford’s best chance of the half came of the stroke. Mfulu raced through, poking the ball past Lukas Lidakevicius in the away goal but he could only divert his effort wide.

Rocks were looking very compact, although needed Lidakevicius to stop Alfie Pavey drawing the hosts level.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Peddie (Sammons 57’), Harris, Allen, Ekpiteta, Burns, Agyemang (Ruel 61’), Cornhill, Higgins, Akinwande (Honesty 85’), Smith