Report

WHITES’ four-match National League unbeaten run was ended by Paul McCallum’s late double.

The striker cancelled out Ryan Bird’s opener by slotting home from close range just six minutes from time and then headed in a late winner as Chris Kinnear’s men lost at Eastleigh for the first time in non-league’s top tier.

The visitors fashioned the first chance of the match as Mitch Brundle headed Mitch Pinnock’s inswinging cross goalwards, but the Dover captain’s downward header bounced into home keeper Graham Stack’s arms.

And at the other end Spitfires skipper Ryan Cresswell went close, nodding Mark Yeates’ corner wide.

But it was Whites who had the lead midway through the first half.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco released Bird for the striker to blast his 14th National League goal of the season past a helpless Stack.

Pinnock almost doubled Athletic’s lead, forcing Stack to tip away his fiercely struck 25-yard free kick.

And Ade Azeez was next to try his luck from range, driving a low effort narrowly wide via a deflection.

Ayo Obileye then went close for the hosts, but could only kick air when trying to connect with Ryan Broom’s accurate cross.

Following the restart, Kevin Lokko, sporting Nortei Nortey’s shirt after suffering a cut to the head in the first half, headed Brundle’s corner just over.

And Azeez needed just a couple more inches to be able to convert Pinnock’s cross to the back post.

The forward, on loan from Cambridge, then blasted wide after getting the better of Cresswell out wide.

Sam Matthews’ volleyed onto the roof of Walker’s net as the home team pushed forward for the equaliser.

And the host’s leveller came courtesy of McCallum with the attacker slotting through the legs of Walker just a few yards from goal following good work from Matthews.

And the Spitfires’ winner arrived as the clocked ticked towards injury time.

Sub Ben Williamson crossed for McCallum to rise above the Dover defence and head past Walker’s despairing dive to complete his brace.

Earlier Kinnear made one change to the side that started in Saturday’s goalless draw at Barrow.  Bird replaced Keanu Marsh-Brown, who started as a substitute.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

EASTLEIGH REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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