Tony Burman believes survival in Blue Square Bet Premier may be his greatest achievement as Dartford manager.

Last weekend’s 2-0 win at AFC Telford was enough to preserve the Darts’ place in the fifth tier of English football for another season.

Burman (pictured) led the club to three promotions in five seasons but the last eight months have seen Dartford defy the odds and stay clear of the drop zone.

As a part-time club scrapping with a host of former Football League giants, the Darts have made a mockery of the pre-season predictions which had them coming straight back down.

Burman said: "The remit was to stay in the league and if that meant finishing fifth-bottom, so be it. We’ve stayed in the league and it’s gone beyond that, to a certain extent.

"At the start of the season, we felt we needed to keep the majority of players from the previous season. They’re still at a good age and consistent more often than not.

"To be in this league and to stay there, with games to go, is a fantastic achievement. It’s one of, if not the best, things we’ve done as a club."

Dartford host Braintree Town at Princes Park on Thursday night and travel to Stockport County on Saturday.

Supporters who hold season tickets with Football League clubs will be admitted for £1 tonight when they show their season tickets.

Read more from Tony Burman in this week's Dartford Messenger newspaper.