Dover Athletic’s eight-match unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday evening as ten-man Whites suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelmsford City at the Megger Community Stadium.

Harry Barbrook’s 42nd-minute strike proved decisive in a contest overshadowed by the controversial first-half dismissal of Roman Charles-Cook, who was shown a straight red card for an adjudged handball inside the penalty area.

Captain Mitch Walker produced a superb double save to deny Jack Bridge from the penalty spot and keep out the rebound, but Chelmsford made the resulting corner count to take a lead they would hold until the final whistle.

Jake Leberl made one change to the side that drew 1-1 at Salisbury on Saturday, with Sak Hassan replacing the injured Decarrey Sheriff in the starting eleven.

Dover made a bright start on a wet evening at Crabble, with Hassan causing problems down the flank inside the opening two minutes. His dangerous delivery into the penalty area narrowly evaded Luke Baptiste before bouncing just wide of the far post.

The visitors suffered an early setback when former Charlton Athletic striker Lyle Taylor was forced off through injury after just six minutes, with Leo Sery introduced in his place.

Whites continued to enjoy the better of the opening exchanges, moving the ball quickly and looking to exploit space in the wide areas. Jack Bates found himself in a promising position inside the Chelmsford box after eight minutes, only for the offside flag to halt the attack.

Hassan remained a lively presence, sending another floated delivery into the area shortly afterwards, although visiting goalkeeper Alfie Marriott was alert to claim ahead of the Dover attackers.

Chelmsford began to grow into the contest as the half progressed. With Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite temporarily receiving treatment following a knock, the Clarets threatened through a curling effort that Walker was well positioned to gather.

Dover responded midway through the half when Hassan controlled possession on the edge of the area and combined with Ruben Soares-Junior. The forward struck a first-time effort towards goal, forcing Marriott into a good save to keep the scores level.

There were opportunities at both ends as Chelmsford looked increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack. Barbrook headed narrowly wide from an Adam May free-kick, while an important sliding challenge from Harry Beadle prevented another visiting break and drew appreciation from the River End.

At the other end, Bates worked himself into a shooting position on the half-hour mark, twisting and turning to create space before firing an effort on target, although Marriott was able to gather comfortably.

The game’s major turning point arrived in the 37th minute following a Chelmsford attack.

A shot from Sery was initially kept out before May’s follow-up struck Charles-Cook on the goal line. Referee Craig Barnett awarded a penalty for handball and showed the Dover defender a straight red card, a decision which prompted strong protests from the home side.

Soares-Junior was subsequently cautioned for dissent, but Walker ensured Dover remained on level terms with an outstanding sequence of saves.

Bridge stepped up to take the penalty, only for the Whites captain to dive to his right and keep out the spot-kick. Walker reacted brilliantly again to deny the follow-up, turning the ball behind for a corner.

The dramatic sequence continued as Dover assistant manager Mike Sandmann was also shown a red card amid the protests that followed.

Despite Walker’s heroics, Chelmsford capitalised on the resulting set-piece in the 42nd minute.

May’s short corner found Sery inside the area, and his effort was blocked amid a crowded penalty box before Barbrook reacted quickest to fire home from close range and give the visitors the lead.

Walker remained alert during five minutes of added time, gathering a long-range effort from May as Dover headed into the interval a goal and a man down.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Dover emerged for the second half with renewed urgency, looking to push forward and find a route back into the contest.

Chelmsford threatened early after the restart, with Jack Barham sending an effort over the crossbar, before Walker was again called upon to produce an important save in the 51st minute.

Bridge delivered a low ball across the face of goal towards Sery at the far post, but the Dover goalkeeper reacted superbly to deny the substitute from close range. Both players required a moment to recover following the challenge, although Walker was soon back on his feet.

Whites continued to look for opportunities to get forward, with Hassan a regular outlet on the flank. A promising switch of play towards the winger was halted by another offside decision, while his footwork around the Chelmsford penalty area created further openings without producing a clear sight of goal.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to double their advantage in the 66th minute when Denzelle Olopade found space outside the Dover area and unleashed a powerful effort from distance.

His strike beat Walker but crashed against the upright, allowing Dover to escape with the deficit still at a single goal.

Moments later, Olopade tried his luck again, although his second effort was comfortably gathered by Walker.

Dover continued to commit players forward despite being down to ten men, finding space in wide positions and delivering balls into the Chelmsford penalty area.

Leberl made his first substitution in the 71st minute, introducing Sesay in place of Bakrin as Whites looked to maintain their attacking momentum.

Baptiste then won a free-kick in a promising position on the right after being brought down by Bridge. Dover worked the set-piece short and saw the resulting effort deflected behind, although Marriott rose to collect the subsequent corner.

As the game entered its final quarter, Chelmsford increasingly looked to protect their narrow advantage, while Dover continued to search for an equaliser.

Sesay and Wilson-Braithwaite both entered the referee’s notebook as the contest became increasingly physical.

Walker was almost caught out in the 81st minute when a misjudged clearance fell to Bridge, who immediately drove towards the Dover penalty area. The Chelmsford winger picked out Barham, but the return ball failed to reach its intended target and the home defence recovered to clear the danger.

Dover were awarded another free-kick in a dangerous position shortly afterwards when Bates was brought down near the corner of the penalty area. Nathan Ralph was cautioned for the challenge, although the resulting delivery was cleared by the visitors.

With time running out, Leberl turned to his bench once more, introducing Corie Andrews and Mo Jallow for Soares-Junior and Wilson-Braithwaite in the 85th minute.

Whites continued to apply pressure in the closing stages, pushing Chelmsford back towards their own penalty area and looking to make their deliveries count. However, the visitors remained organised defensively, denying Dover the clear-cut opportunity needed to restore parity.

Chelmsford substitute Ashley Clarke threatened on the break as the Clarets looked to put the result beyond doubt, but Walker was quick off his line to clear the danger before the forward could capitalise.

Sonny Fish was introduced for Jalen Jones in stoppage time as Dover made one final attempt to salvage something from the evening.

Four additional minutes were signalled, but despite Dover’s continued efforts, Chelmsford successfully saw out the contest to secure all three points.

The result brought an end to Whites’ eight-match unbeaten run, with Walker producing several outstanding saves in a frustrating evening for Leberl’s side.

Dover will now look to respond when they return to the Megger Community Stadium on Saturday, with Farnham Town the visitors in National League South.

Match details

Dover Athletic XI: Walker (GK) (C), Beadle, Jones (Fish 90+1′), Bakrin (Sesay 71′), Baptiste, Soares-Junior (Andrews 85′), Williams, Bates, Charles-Cook, Wilson-Braithwaite (Jallow 85′), Hassan.

Unused substitutes: Wilkinson, Ezenwanne, Onu.

Yellow cards: Soares-Junior (39′), Sesay (75′), Wilson-Braithwaite (78′).

Red card: Charles-Cook (37′).

Chelmsford City XI: Marriott (GK), Barbrook, Tompkins, Ralph, Barham, Miley (C), Egbo, May, Bridge (Clarke 85′), Olopade, Taylor (Sery 6′, Crowther 77′).

Unused substitutes: Eastwood (GK), Dunne, Protsenko.

Yellow cards: Bridge (72′), Ralph (82′), Egbo (90′).

Goal: Barbrook (42′).

Referee: Craig Barnett.

Attendance: 656.