Dartford 3 Tonbridge Angels 0
Unlike in the thrilling 3-2 victory at Longmead earlier in the season, the visitors were no match for the Darts in a one-sided first half.
Injuries had depleted Tonbridge’s central midfield, and operating with such a small squad they struggled to impose themselves on the game.
It was always going to be a struggle for the Angels and they were subjected to an almost continuous series of raids on their goal.
After 27 minutes a trademark Dartford attack left Jonny Henly isolated in the Tonbridge goal and although he blocked the first attempt he was powerless to stop Darren McQueen scoring from the rebound.
Just before half-time D’Sean Theobalds was fouled on the edge of the area and his free kick was well delivered, providing a free header for Alex Bentley but he directed it straight at the keeper.
The visitors improved in the second half with two chances for Small and another for Joe Turner, but on 68 minutes Dartford struck again.
Elliott Romayne picked up the ball just inside the Tonbridge area and let fly from 25 yards, comprehensively beating Henly.
A strange incident occurred in the home penalty area in the 86th minute when the referee showed a straight red card to Dartford defender Josh Hill for violent conduct but did not award a penalty.
It transpired that a Tonbridge player had committed a foul just beforehand, which was the first offence in that passage of play so it was a free kick to Dartford.
Dartford added a deserved third through substitute Charlie Sheringham, son of former England forward Teddy, in stoppage time.
Frustrated boss McKimm said: “My players let themselves down, let the club down, and let the fans down.
“This was a Christmas Kent derby: where was the passion, where was the intensity? I didn’t see it apart from perhaps the first 20 minutes of the second half.
“Yes we have a small squad which, with injuries, makes things difficult but I expected far more from the team I put out this afternoon.”
They head into the New Year second from bottom of the National League South table, with only three points from 11 games on the road.
Tonbridge now face another derby with a visit to the Gallagher Stadium to take on Maidstone on New Year’s Day (kick-off 3pm).
The first match in the local double-header, at Longmead on Boxing Day, was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
