Dover Athletic’s final away trip of the season ended in a narrow defeat in Berkshire, as a second-half set-piece proved the difference in a tight contest at York Road.

There were changes for the Whites heading into the game, with Gillmore coming in between the sticks for Walker, Sesay slotting in at left-back and Jallow returning to midfield.

The hosts started quickly, winning an early corner inside three minutes, before Gillmore was called into action almost immediately. Dillon De Silva fired an early effort on target, but the Dover stopper reacted sharply to keep it out.

Maidenhead dominated possession in the opening stages, working the ball well from a short corner routine, again finding De Silva, whose left-footed strike was comfortably dealt with by Gillmore. A patient spell followed for the hosts, who saw another header drift on target but without enough power to trouble the Dover goalkeeper.

Maidenhead continued their early pressure. A deep corner from Popoola was nodded down by Clerima, forcing a combination save from the goalkeeper and defender to deny the hosts. Soon after, a neat move involving Bartley and Mitchell-Lawson saw Popoola find space in the middle, but he couldn’t connect cleanly with his header.

Dover continued to probe, and a recycled set piece saw Wilkinson deliver to the back post, where Jones couldn’t quite stretch to convert. Gillmore was again called upon midway through the half, producing a solid save from a curling effort after Dover were dispossessed in midfield.

Dover grew into the contest as the half wore on. Nikaj’s pressing unsettled the Maidenhead defence, leading to a loose back pass that Sheriff chased, only to be taken out by the goalkeeper. Appeals for a penalty were waved away. Sheriff remained a threat, working space in the box before firing over from a tight angle.

A stronger spell for the Whites late in the half saw them enjoy more possession and territory, winning a corner that briefly threatened, although Maidenhead looked to break quickly on the counter before losing their footing at a crucial moment. The sides went in level at the break with the deadlock intact.

The decisive moment came five minutes into the second half. A free kick into the box caused problems, with de Havilland heading the ball down and Bartley reacting quickest to slide it into the net and give the hosts the lead.

Dover responded with changes, as Wilkinson and Jallow made way for Baptiste and Gurung just before the hour mark. The Whites looked to push forward, and Charles-Cook nearly found a way through after latching onto a lobbed pass, rounding the keeper before the danger was eventually dealt with.

Maidenhead continued to threaten on the break and from distance, with a deflected effort striking the crossbar before Gillmore produced an excellent save to tip a powerful effort from Mitchell-Lawson over the bar.

Further changes followed for Dover, with Sesay and Nikaj replaced by Onu and Sodje, as the visitors searched for a route back into the game.

Dover thought they had found an equaliser midway through the half after working the ball down the right and finishing well, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on van Stappershoef.

The pressure continued to build. Jones fired over from inside the box following a long throw, before Sodje forced a strong save from distance, the Maidenhead keeper reacting well to push the effort over the bar.

Baptiste also had a late sight of goal as Dover pushed forward in the closing stages, but the hosts managed the game well, keeping possession in the corner during stoppage time to run down the clock.

After seven added minutes, the full-time whistle confirmed a narrow defeat for the Whites, who can take encouragement from a competitive display despite coming away empty-handed.

Dover Athletic return to the Megger Community Stadium next Saturday for their final game of the season against Chesham.

Dover Athletic XI:
27 Gillmore, 2 Charles-Cook, 16 Beadle, 4 Jones, 6 Cocoracchio, 3 Sesay, 22 Jallow, 23 Wilkinson, 25 Hanson (C), 11 Sheriff, 10 Nikaj

Subs: Baptiste, Boakye-Sarfo, Sodje, Gurung, Onu, Mensah, Agbebi

Maidenhead United XI:
22 van Stappershoef, 2 Bartley, 3 Ragguette, 4 de Havilland (C), 7 De Silva, 8 Yearwood, 11 Mitchell-Lawson, 12 Robinson, 15 Umerah, 20 Clerima, 23 Popoola

Subs: Browne, Welch-Hayes, Pritchard, Cochrane, Odelusi, Barratt, Dundas