Dartford began their Dr Martens Eastern Division League season on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat against Bashley at Stonebridge Road.

However, the game had begun brightly for the Darts when they took the lead on 10 minutes.

Tommy Martin’s excellent left-wing corner was flicked on at the near post for Martin Buglione to hit a spectacular overhead kick into the roof of the net from six yards.

Dartford threatened once again shortly after when Danny Tingley’s mazy run and cross had the away side in knots, but striker Dave Hassett could not apply the finishing touch Bashley equalised on 25 minutes when a great ball from Danny Gibbons found the head of Tony Wallace, who finished at the far post.

Dartford kept working hard and on 26 minutes Paul Sykes’ outrageous lob caught the away side’s defence flat-footed but Dave Hassett could not quite connect at the far post.

Bashley took an unexpected lead on the stroke of half-time when Wallace headed home after good work from Gibbons.

Dartford worked hard to get back into the game, but Bashley sealed the win when Graeme Gee’s cross from the right-hand side was nodded down by Wallace to net his hat-trick.

This Saturday, the Darts travel to play Newport Isle of Wight, ahead of Bank Holiday Monday’s home game at Stonebridge Road against Chatham at 3pm.