NOT for the first time this season, Richard Ball popped up with a vital goal to earn United a place in today's FA Tropy third qualifying round draw.

A replay appeared on the cards with two minutes of normal time left to play but Steve Luckett's presence in the home penalty box created confusion and a joyous Ball fired in the winner. Injury, illness and suspension kept Mark Hands, Anthony Watson and Steve Hands on the sidelines but Steve Duncan played his first game of the season in a side determined to erase the memory of the previous week's episode at Bromsgrove.

Chances were at a premium at either end but it was Dartford who almost broke the deadlock after 60 minutes when Ryan Hayes struck the inside of an upright after rounding Nathan Vaughan.

Steve Lutz's first-half header was the closest either side came to scoring in the opening 45 minutes but, after the escape, another ex-Worcester City man Mark Owen also tested the home goalkeeper with two excellent efforts.

Ball's strike was no more than the Robins deserved but the hosts, eager to sign off their ground sharing agreement with Thurrock with a win, almost forced a replay but Richard Avery's injury-time header flew inches too high.