Dartford captain Tom Bonner insists there’s no reason they can’t have another winning run.
Darts have drawn all three home games this year, including Tuesday night’s National League South scoreless stalemate with Concord Rangers.
A far cry from their blistering start to the campaign which saw them win seven of their first eight league games.
“We have to realize that we are the same team that won nine of our first 10 games, scoring four, five, six against teams,” Bonner said.
“We are the same team, the same players. If I knew what the problem was, it wouldn’t be a problem, but that’s football. There are ups and downs, you have to stay positive. There is no magic recipe other than hard work.
“We just need to relax and get some swagger back. We are the same players, the same club, the same fans, who have had an incredible journey and I think we can do it again. We just need this victory to push us.
Dartford didn’t do enough to beat Concord but nearly snatched a victory to boost morale in stoppage time when Jake Robinson’s harsh drive returned to the crossbar.
It was the kind of luck they needed to revive their campaign.
“That’s how it’s been for us recently,” Bonner added.
“The effort was there, all the boys left everything there. I’m captain of this football club and it’s the least we expect.
“I think they gave their all. Confidence is low at the minute and we don’t really get the green snag.
“Robbo had a chance at the end and if he puts that in we’re all thrilled with a win and hopefully that can be a catalyst to push us on.
“It just seems like we don’t get the green snag. I myself was guilty of this recently, missing a golden chance on Saturday. I believe that our luck will change, we just have to maintain this effort and this application.
Despite their stuttering form, Dartford is still at the heart of the promotion’s upheaval.
They travel to Tonbridge this Saturday, then host Ebbsfleet on Tuesday evening, knowing that maximum points will be the perfect tonic.
“It’s extremely frustrating,” Bonner conceded. “I’ve told the boys that we need to keep working hard, off-work, off-fight teams and I sincerely believe our luck will turn.
“It could be coming from someone’s back. That’s all we can do, keep training hard, keep pushing hard and hopefully it will start to turn around for us.
“There are about 20 games left – a lot of points to go. Until it’s mathematically impossible, I will keep believing.
“I want Dartford to win this league. It’s going to be tough because some teams are doing well and we’re not at the moment, but anything can happen in football.
“It can change in the blink of an eye and I still want Dartford to win the league. I’m not looking at this now, we have to go game by game and stay positive and believe.
