Hastings manager Nigel Kane is confident his side can still win the Ryman division one south title despite squandering the opportunity to hit top spot for the second time in five days.

Kane's side slumped to a 2-1 reverse against Dartford at the Pilot Field when victory would have seen them take over from leaders Maidstone, who lost at Met Police.

Hastings have now lost their last two following a 16-match unbeaten league run to slip to third on goal difference behind Tooting and Mitcham.

They can clinch a play-off spot with just one victory from their remaining two matches against relegated Corinthian Casuals and Godalming.

But Kane wants the title, with only the champions awarded automatic promotion.

He said: "It was frustrating to miss an opportunity to take the lead. It would be a decent achievement to make the play-offs but we would love to round off the season we've had with the title.

"Nobody seems to want to win it at the moment. Maidstone haven't won in three games. I think they've lost a bit of bottle.

"With our defeats, it has given the teams behind us a chance to get in amongst it.

"But we need to forget what has happened. We can't change it. What we must concentrate on is our last two games. Even though Corinthian Casuals and Godalming have been relegated, it might not necessarily make it easier for us."

Hastings conceded two minutes before half-time when Brendan Cass netted. Sam Adams equalised with a fine solo effort nine minutes into the second half but Darts bagged all three points through a Carl Bruce header six minutes from time.

Kane said: "We missed Sean Ray and Ade Olorunda and lost Rhys Whyborne to a head injury during the game."

Horsham YMCA striker Pat Massaro could be sidelined for up to six months after breaking a leg in the 1-1 home draw with Molesey.

That is the verdict of manager John Suter, who broke a leg three times as a player.

Accident Suter said: "It is a bad one. Pat's leg was mis-shapen. He'll need a plate and it is likely to take between three and six months. I feel for Pat. We all do. It was an accident when he challenged with one of their players for the ball.

"The match was held up for 30 minutes as we waited for an ambulance but my players showed a good attitude after the incident."

Matt Russell gave YM the lead by seizing on the rebound after two Ellis Hooper shots were blocked from a Dean Carden corner in the 35th minute.

Massaro suffered his injury seven minutes into the re-start and Molesey equalised through Dan Sacha five minutes from time.

Burgess Hill boss Gary Croydon put his side's 2-0 home defeat against Ashford down to anxiety.

Hillians had scored seven goals in the last two away games but they continued to fire blanks in front of their own supporters as Tooting and Mitcham escaped with a 1-0 win.

Croydon said: "It is disappointing not to be scoring in front of our own fans but the crowd do get anxious and that transfers to the players.

"I also think that our lack of strikers has been a factor. Ashley Jarvis has been superb up front but he needs someone to share more of the goalscoring burden. My number one priority in the summer is to find someone to help him."

Hillians had plenty of chances with Neil Watts missing an open goal and Adam Pulling and Danny Gainsford failing to convert chances.

Ashford scored through Steve Sodje and Gerrard Elliott on 44 and 89 minutes.

Croydon said: "The score-line flattered them. I can't remember our goalkeeper being worked too hard."