Ben Greenhalgh is delighted with the impact Dartford’s academy graduates have made this season.

One of the club’s homegrown talents, Louie Atkins, came off the bench to score a late winner against Wingate & Finchley last weekend.

The striker scored eight minutes from time in a 2-1 home success that moved Darts level on points at the top of the Isthmian Premier before Enfield won at Carshalton on Monday night.

Player-boss Greenhalgh, who is also the club’s academy manager, has never shied away from fielding youngsters who are ready.

And fourth-placed Dartford, who visit AFC Whyteleafe this Saturday (3pm), are reaping their rewards.

Atkins is a case in point.

“Coming through the academy, he’s someone who’s bided his time really well,” said Greenhalgh, who beat Whyteleafe twice as Margate manager last season.

“He’s been patient but he’s always come on in every game and put in a good performance.

“There’s games where he’s got an assist but this was good for him to get the winner.

“Louie knows he’s in a tough world where fans are wanting more forwards but he’s got to keep fighting and putting his name in amongst it. By coming on and scoring, he’s doing that.

“When you sit down and think about it, it’s crazy how many academy lads or younger players we have playing.

“I think it’s just myself and Scott Wagstaff who are dragging the age up. It’s a very young team.

“The ones who’ve come through the academy, it’s not a case of playing them because of that pathway and that romance to it in terms of coming through and being part of the first team.

“The reality is, because we see them and the way we’ve gone about things, we know which players are ready and can adapt at first-team level.

“Our job at academy level isn’t just to produce players and help progress players, it’s also to educate them into what first-team football is. I feel like all our players are very trustworthy to come and do that.

“We’re never going to play academy players for the sake of it.

“When we look at our back three for the majority of the last six weeks, George Whitefield, Emman Oke and Sam Odaudu, they all came through the academy and are all under 23, so I think that’s brilliant in itself to be getting such good results and trusting players like that. That’s something I’ve been big on.

“I’m not talking about promotion and saying we need to be in Conference South next year but if you are to get promoted, you need a team that are willing or able to develop and progress, and when you have that younger team, there’s the possibility their ceiling is a little bit higher.”

Greenhalgh was impressed with Dartford’s patience in their victory over a Wingate side who set out to make life difficult.

It’s something they’re adapting to as teams see the Darts’ league position and set out to frustrate.

Darts conceded a poor equaliser after leading through Greenhalgh but stuck to their task and eventually wore down the visitors.

“I think teams probably look at us and see Dartford as the club we are and our league position and sit off.

“Subconsciously, they might try and come for a point but then sometimes, when you find yourselves sitting in, you could get all three on the counter, which can happen.

“It’s a sign of respect but it also means we need to work on different game plans, which we have done a little bit more.

“The main thing is to try and avoid frustration, which can creep in when you’re not winning.

“The good thing on Saturday is we stayed patient.

“We let in a poor goal, which could have led to a lot of frustration, but we kept going and I felt we were the only team who were going to win the game.”

Greenhalgh signed defender Vladimir Paternoster on dual registration from Braintree last week, describing him as “absolutely brilliant” since his arrival.

“He’s still got things to learn about us, which is how it is when you’re in a new team, but he’s willing to learn,” added Greenhalgh.

“We’re looking forward to getting the most out of him.”

Dartford remain on the lookout for a new forward following Luca Botti’s departure and subsequent return to Wingate & Finchley.

Greenhalgh said: “We’re still looking to strengthen in our attacking areas.

“We’re just making sure we can get the right player.

“There’s a couple that have nearly been over the line and have been swayed to stay by their club.”

Dartford visit Brentwood on Tuesday night (7.45pm).