Report

A second half winner from Dior Angus saw Whites lose at top-of-the-table Barrow in windswept conditions on Tuesday night

The striker followed up to slot in after home keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer had initially denied Scott Quigley.

Andy Hessenthaler’s men, who lost captain Kevin Lokko to a serious looking injury just after the break, almost fashioned a late leveller when substitute Dominic Poleon struck the crossbar.

Early on, Quigley saw his shot bravely blocked by Will De Havilland from point-blank range inside the penalty area, with Maynard-Brewer then saving Angus’ cheeky back-heel on the follow-up.

The Bluebirds then had a goal disallowed for offside when Quigley nodded in after Maynard-Brewer had pushed away Angus’ initial header.

There was no flag when Angus was presented with his next chance.

Patrick Brough swung in a dangerous cross, only for the Barrow striker to miss the ball with the goal gaping.

Aaron Simpson then came to Dover’s rescue, nodding Sam Hird’s header from a corner off the line, with Maynard-Brewer then coming flying across his goal to stop Quigley’s top-corner-bound header with his fingertips.

Maynard-Brewer continued to deny the hosts, flinging himself of front of Josh Kay’s strike after the winger burst into the penalty box.

However the danger was not over as Kay collected the rebound and fired goalwards, only for Lokko to put his body in front of the ball.

Following the restart, John Rooney found himself free in the area, only for Dover captain Lokko to sprint across and launch himself in front of Bluebirds’ playmaker to send the ball away for a corner.

Dan Jones found Rooney from a throw-in, but the midfielder could only slice his volley wide of the target.

Following the restart, an injury to Lokko forced a lengthy delay after a nasty collision between Athletic’s skipper and Maynard-Brewer, with Lokko eventually stretchered off and replaced by Paul Rooney.

Jai Reason let fly from the edge of the box following good work from Inih Effiong, an effort palmed away by home keeper Joel Dixon.

The home side made the dominance count with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Quigley sprinted clear out wide and though Maynard-Brewer superbly tipped away the league top scorer’s strike, Angus followed up by driving the rebound home from an angle.

Hotshot striker Quigley was then left stunned after being unable to both his 19th league goal of the campaign.

Rooney broke and laid the ball on for the striker to slot into an empty net, but Maynard-Brewer flung himself across his goal to deny Quigley.

Poleon then sent a stinging volley against the top of the crossbar after a surging run and cross out wide by Michael Woods.

At the other end, Quigley rounded the onrushing Maynard-Brewer, but sent his 20-yard effort over the bar and behind the home supporters.

Ogie almost sent the visiting ten fans delirious with a dipping 30-yard volley that flew just over the crossbar.

However valiant Dover were unable to a muster an equaliser during the ten minutes of injury time.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made one change to the side that one the reverse fixture a fortnight ago, with Ogie replacing the injured Josh Passley.

Whites next host AFC Fylde on Saturday 22nd February, kick off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION