The Rebels were searching for a fourth successive win as they made the Tuesday night trip to Princes Park to face a Dartford side that were still very much alive in their battle for survival following a win against Havant & Waterlooville last time out.

Aarran Racine made just one change to the side that beat the league leaders 3-1 on Saturday as Finlay Chadwick replaced Jack Spong in midfield.

The Rebels made the brighter start of the two sides and a well-worked move nearly saw Danny Cashman open the scoring on 12 minutes. He was played in by Ollie Pearce but his shot from a tight angle was parried wide by Darts keeper Rhys Byrne.

Cashman had another chance minutes later from a freekick but it sailed narrowly past the post.

But, despite the positive start, the Rebels fell behind on 26 minutes from the penalty spot. Olly Box went down under a soft challenge from Dylan Fage in the area but referee Shelby Elson wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Luke Coulson stepped up and tucked away his penalty.

Following the goal, the Reds struggled to create many opportunities for the remainder of the half as the Darts protected their lead well. Worthing’s best chance in the period came right before the whistle, but Jordan Wynter made a vital intervention to stop Fage from getting on the end of Kane Wills’ low cross.

The Reds got off to a perfect start in the second half, although it isn’t a certainty that Brad Dolaghan meant to find the back of the net with his cross-come-shot! The 19-year-old was played in behind the Darts’ back line by Joe Felix on the right and his first-time cross sailed straight over keeper Byrne and in at the far post for the youngster’s fourth goal in three games.

The sides exchanged blows on the hour mark as Joel Colbran fired over moments before Harrison Sodje was kept at bay by Ollie Wright.

Ten minutes later, the Rebels got themselves in front. It was another floated ball over the top from Felix that caused problems for the Darts defenders, in particular Joash Nembhard on this occasion. With Wills running onto it, he lapped up the opportunity presented to him and dispatched it past Byrne to hand his side the advantage.

Now with a lead to protect, Racine made his first change of the night, replacing Cashman with Josh Chambers. The substitute worked a chance for himself almost immediately but his left-footed shot rose over the bar.

Up the other end, Colbran did brilliantly to deny Luke Allen as he looked dangerous charging into the box. The Reds’ captain put his body on the line to deny the Darts’ forward.

On 82 minutes, the second Worthing change was made as Jack Spong came on for Chadwick and to offer some fresh legs up front heading into injury time, Greg Luer replaced the goalscorer Dolaghan.

The Rebels held on for their fourth successive victory and were largely unthreatened during the second half, with Wright able to prevent any danger coming from crosses.

The win has also confirmed Worthing’s place in the Play-Offs as they now set their sights on finishing in the advantageous 2nd or 3rd positions. Two games remain for the Reds; an away trip to St Albans City before finishing at home against Weston-super-Mare on the final day.