Dover Athletic edged past Bognor Regis Town with a hard-fought 1-0 victory under the lights at the Megger Community Stadium. George Nikaj’s late goal in the 77th minute proved decisive in an evenly contested match that saw both sides creating chances but struggling to find the back of the net.

The game began with Bognor on the front foot as they nearly capitalised on a couple of early chances. Dover gradually found their rhythm, coming close in the 18th minute with a corner, although the final effort went wide. Nikaj, a persistent threat throughout, had his first significant chance in the 24th minute, only to be denied by Bognor’s goalkeeper. Despite several efforts, both sides went into the break goalless after an evenly balanced half.

Dover emerged from the break with more intensity, and within minutes, Nikaj rattled the crossbar after a superb link-up play in the 49th minute, signaling the Whites’ intent. Bognor, however, continued to show resilience as they looked to unlock the Dover defense.

As the clock ticked on, the game’s defining moment arrived in the 77th minute. Nikaj delivered a cross that slipped through Bognor’s defense, eventually spilling into the net to give Dover the lead. Bognor responded with an attacking surge, pushing Dover’s defense to the limit in the final moments, including a flurry of corners and a dangerous free kick in the 90th minute, which the Dover defense skillfully defused.

Dover held firm to secure a 1-0 victory, defending tenaciously as Bognor piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Referee Jake Woodman had his work cut out with multiple cautions in a physical second half, but Dover managed to secure all three points, thanks to Nikaj’s decisive goal. This win takes the Whites up to third place before heading to Whitehawk on Saturday.

Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 696
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Jake Woodman
Venue: Megger Community Stadium

Dover Athletic 1 – 0 Bognor Regis Town
George NIKAJ (77′)

Dover Athletic: 1 Mitch WALKER (C), 2 Roman CHARLES-COOK, 3 Fuad SESAY, 5 Joe TENNENT, 6 Luca COCORACCHIO, 7 Luke BAPTISTE, 8 Alfie MATTHEWS, 10 George NIKAJ, 14 Ruben SOARES-JUNIOR, 16 Harrison PONT, 23 George WILKINSON SUBS: 4 Jeremiah GYEBI, 9 Eniye AMGBADUBA, 22 Kieran MONLOUIS, 15 Tamas AMGBADUBA, 24 Francis MAMPOLO

Bognor Regis Town: 1 Ryan Hall, 2 Calvin Davies (C), 3 Rocco Gamblin, 4 Toby Kingswell, 5 Spencer Spurway, 6 Tyler Edmondson, 7 Haydon Vaughan, 8 Matt Burgess, 9 Dan Gifford, 10 Tommy-Lee Higgs, 11 Jasper Mather SUBS: 12 Callum Barlow, 14 Harry Clout, 15 Preston Woolston, 16 Mason Vince, 17 Tommy Block