Following the tough goalless draw on their latest trip to Kent at the weekend, a weakened Dons team took the field against Dartford in their latest cup replay.

Despite dominating possession from first to last, it took two goals in the last 5 minutes to see off determined Kentish opposition.

Missing Shane Smeltz, Simon Sibohy and Dave Sargent through a combination of illness and injury, the Dons started in a 4-4-2 formation, with Harvey and Howard at full back and Matt Fowler up front. Youth team recruits Jon Boswell, Niall Connery and Mark King featured on the bench.

Fowler should have done better than fire his 6th minute snap shot high and wide, before the Dons' backline tried to force the pace.

As yet Wayne Finnie has not troubled the scorers but it was his glancing header from Steve Butler's cross on 10 mins that forced Darts keeper Kevin Hudson into a scrambling save.

Richard Bulters should have opened the scoring soon after but Hudson smothered the Dons' striker's effort, after Wes Daly had set him clear.

The only Darts effort in the opening half hour came by accident, as Dons keeper Andy Little dallied too long and saw his clearance cannon off striker Dave Martin and drift wide.

After the opening quarter the Darts seemed happy to drop off the pace and invite the Dons onto them, without ever threatening to break out over the half way line.

Steve Butler was the latest unlikely potential source of a Dons goal on 31 minutes, when his long range half volley was deflected onto the bar.

The remainder of the half passed off with little incident or danger to either defence, despite some probing football from the Dons.

Almost on half time Michael Harvey saw a goal bound shot blocked - Chris Gell followed up and saw his effort diverted agonisingly wide by the head of Richard Butler.

The second period opened equally slowly, with the Darts showing a little endeavour but little finishing product and the Dons struggling to penetrate in front of the Tempest End.

Once again defender Steve Butler was looking as threatening as his namesake Richard in front of goal, forcing Hudson to again save just after the hour mark.

The Darts did force a handful of corners and when sub Ryan Hayes set Eddie McClements clear, he should have scored but Little smothered his effort well.

Finally the Dons unleashed Finnie's long throw late on and almost profited - Michael Harvey's shot being deflected wide.

As the game entered the last minutes of normal time, Dwayne Plummer's frustration was evident as he was booked for dissent and replaced soon after by Sonny Farr.

Once again Hudson game won his personal dual with Butler as he saved another strong header from another Finnie free kick.

Finally the goal that hadn't really looked likely arrived for the Dons in the moments. Richard Butler finally found time and space to slot the ball beyond Hudson on 87 minutes

Virtually from the kick off that man Butler turned goal provider, holding play up long enough to pick out Barry Moore who comfortably placed his shot past Hudson.

Bar a brief late substitue debut for Niall Connery in place of Fowler, that was that and the Dons wrapped up a deserved win and a home draw against Conference South table toppers St Albans on 17th December.

NOTE : Barry Moore not Steve Butler scored the second goal.