DOVER put Saturday’s drubbing at the hands of Chester behind them with a 3-1 over Sutton, though the visitors did give Whites a few frights along the way.

After their sorry Saturday display in Cheshire, Chris Kinnear opted to give the majority of his outfield players that started at the Deva Stadium a chance at redemption, with Mitch Walker taking over from the injured Steve Arnold in goal and Chris Kinnear a last minute replacement for Sammy Moore who had pulled out in the warm-up. Jahmal Howlett-Mundle filled the vacant spot on the bench.

Sutton, looking for a first win on the road since 13th August, made two changes to the side that narrowly beat Guiseley. Louis John came in for Forest Green bound Dan Wishart, whilst Bradley Hudson-Odoi replaced Simon Downer.

Dover made the perfect start on three minutes, Moses Emmanuel played in Ricky Miller with a clever through ball and the striker bagged his eight of the season with an angled finish across goalkeeper Ross Worner.

Sutton almost levelled in stunning fashion, Chris Dickson connected to a cross with an audacious overhead kick and the ball flew inches wide of Mitch Walker’s post.

They then thought they had levelled on twenty minutes, a header from Dickson struck the underside of the bar and appeared to cross the line. The referee, unnerved by Sutton’s protests, waved play on much to the dissatisfaction of all those involved with the U’s. The visitors have every right to feel aggrieved as later evidence shows the goal should have stood.

With Sutton’s blood still boiling, Ross Stearn smashed a free kick toward goal, of which Walker could only parry skywards before the ball was cleared to safety.

Sutton continued to throw caution to the wind and another fabulous strike, this time from Bedsente Gomis flew just wide of the goal past a spectating Walker. The same player then strode forward just before the half time whistle and fired in a low drive that Walker held onto at the second attempt.

United carried on their search for an equaliser after the break, Walker comfortably dealing with Dickson’s fizzing effort from the edge of the area.

Though many could argue Sutton deserved a goal, danger man Miller showed there was sentiment as he doubled Dover’s lead on 58 minutes, racing onto a long ball over the top and volleying past Worner from a ridiculous angle.

Dover had their work cut out for the last twenty minutes as Emmanuel was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Kevin Awankwaah. Sutton’s right back was able to continue and helped his team find a way back into the game. Having set up Craig Eastmond to spurn a glorious chance from 10 yards, he decided to take matters into his own hands by slotting home from close range after a scuffed shot fell kindly for him.

Walker spread himself brilliantly to stop Hudson-Odoi from sealing a comeback after the pacy winger sprinted through a static Dover defence.

Jim Stevenson thought he had the last word, an opportunist long-range volley late on struck Louis John and flew over a helpless Worner.

However, the last word belonged to Dover’s goalkeeper who dived low to his right to save Hudson-Odoi’s penalty, with the spot-kick awarded after substitute Ayo Obileye handled in his own area.

The win sees Dover rise one place to eighth, five points behind new leaders Forest Green. Whites face a long trip to Gateshead on Saturday, hoping to make it five wins from five against Neil Aspin’s men.