DANNY Scopes admits Concord Rangers cannot afford to keep giving sides head-starts as the Beach Boys fell to a 2-0 defeat against Dartford.

First half goals from Charlie Sheringham and Alex Flisher ensured the visitors would come out on top at the Aspect Arena.

Although Concord came from behind to grab four points in their recent outings against Braintree Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough, Scopes' side could not extend their three-match unbeaten run in the National League South.

Beach Boys boss Scopes said: "It’s disappointing to lose. No-one wants to lose games of football but you have to accept it.

"When you give someone a head-start in this league, it’s really difficult to come back.

"We had to come back in the last two games against Braintree and Hampton, but that doesn’t happen all the time across the season.

"If you give a good team which has experienced players who know how to play the game a 2-0 head-start, the chances of coming back become very slim.

"We had to be better around both boxes and take the chances when they came our way. We didn’t do that, whereas they did."

The visitors took a fourth minute lead as Sheringham tapped home from close range after Chris Haigh had originally denied former Beach Boy Ryan Hayes.

Dartford doubled their advantage with 25 minutes on the clock.

Decarrey Sheriff was dispossessed inside his own half and Flisher broke into the penalty area before drilling into the far corner of the net.

The Darts thought they had extended their lead when Jordan Wynter blasted goalwards, but Haigh managed to get a touch on the shot before clawing the ball out from behind him.

Although Dartford were adamant that the ball had crossed the line, the officials adjudged Haigh to have made the stop in time.

Concord looked for a way back into the contest after the break and were frustrated by the offside flag when Sheriff netted from close range.

But Scopes was encouraged by the Beach Boys' second half display.

Scopes added: "I think we learnt a lot about ourselves in the second half.

"There was the goal that was ruled out for offside and we had a couple of crosses fizz across the box.

"If someone gets on the end of one of them or Decarrey isn’t offside, that gives you a bit of momentum to go for the second goal and get back into the game."