Braintee Town remain six points clear at the top of Blue Square Bet South - despite slipping to a 1-0 defeat at ten-man Dartford last night.

Elliot Bradbrook’s second-half strike gave the Darts victory, despite having Charlie Sheringham - son of former Colchester United striker Teddy - sent off after just 16 minutes for a foul on Matt Paine.

It was Iron’s first league defeat since mid-November.

Manager Rod Stringer said: “Fair play to Dartford - they worked hard when down to ten men and that save by their keeper from Dave Bryant probably won them the game.

“We worked hard and I felt we were good value for a point, but sometimes in football you don’t always get what you deserve.”

In the Essex Senior League, Witham Town's promotion hopes suffered another blow when they were beaten 3-2 at champions Stansted.