Dover Athletic’s push for an Isthmian League Premier Division play-off spot took a blow at Princes Park as high-flying Dartford delivered a clinical 3-1 defeat, despite a second-half fightback from the visitors.

The Whites made a bright start under the Kent sunshine, with George Nikaj testing the Dartford goalkeeper early and Roman Charles-Cook’s deliveries posing questions for the home defence. A couple of half-chances came and went.

But for all their early enthusiasm, Dover found themselves undone by a moment of real quality on 15 minutes. Dartford’s Samir Carruthers, afforded a free-kick from the corner of the penalty area, curled a pinpoint effort beyond Jordan Gilmore into the far corner — a goal worthy of the league leaders.

Dover looked for an immediate response, with Alfie Matthews dragging a shot wide just a minute later, but the game quickly began to slip from their control. Defending deep, the visitors survived a couple of close shaves, including a crucial goal-line clearance from Luca Cocoracchio on 32 minutes. But the pressure finally told four minutes later when Dartford doubled their advantage. Denzelle Olopade was quickest to react in the box, stabbing home after a long throw-in was flicked on — a soft goal for Dover to concede, and one that left them with a mountain to climb.

Ruben Soares-Junior almost offered hope on the stroke of half-time, rattling the post with a long-range thunderbolt, but the Whites trudged into the break two goals behind.

Any hopes of a second-half revival were dashed just two minutes after the restart when Josh Hill rose highest to head in a third for Dartford. The home side’s physicality and ruthlessness were proving too much for Dover, whose afternoon looked set to unravel further.

However, to their credit, Jake Leberl’s side didn’t fold. While genuine chances remained scarce, the introduction of Francis Mampolo injected some fresh legs and energy. Dover gradually gained more possession, forcing a couple of corners and unsettling the Dartford back line.

The persistence paid off on 79 minutes, and it was the captain, Ruben Soares-Junior, who provided the spark once again. Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, he rifled an unstoppable strike past Marsden to notch his 20th league goal of the campaign — a superb individual effort and a glimmer of hope for the travelling fans.

With the deficit cut to two, Dover pushed forward in search of a dramatic late comeback, making a flurry of substitutions to freshen their attack. Despite this late rally, clear-cut chances were hard to come by, and Gilmore was needed at the other end to prevent Dartford from adding a fourth after a defensive lapse nearly allowed Eddie Dsane in.

Ultimately, the damage had been done earlier in the afternoon and Dartford claimed all three points in the Good Friday Kent Derby.

Isthmian League – Premier Division

Princes Park Stadium, Attendance: 1,878

Dartford:

1. Jacob Marsden, 3. Sam Odaudu, 5. Josh Hill (C), 6. George Whitefield, 7. Callum Jones, 8. Denzelle Olopade, 11. Olly Box, 16. Sam Okoye, 4. Samir Carruthers, 27. Michael Olarewaju, 32. Hayden Bullas SUBS: 21. Eddie Dsane, 17. Luther Williams, 19. Tyler Christian-Law, 25. Louis Dunne, 28. Jeremiah Pinder

Dover Athletic:

27. Jordan Gilmore, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Fuad Sesay, 26. Jacob Mensah, 5. Joe Tennent, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 7. Luke Baptiste, 8. Alfie Matthews, 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior (C), 29. Ryan Hanson SUBS: 28. Kweku-Conrad Lucan, 15. Tamas Amgbaduba, 9. Eniye Amgbaduba, 24. Francis Mampolo, 4. Jeremiah Gyebi