Report

DOVER’S hopes of reaching the National League playoffs are all but over after Tuesday’s draw against Macclesfield Town at Crabble.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s side came from behind twice to salvage a point thanks to goals from Ricky Miller and Ross Lafayette.

That point sees Dover remain sixth on the table, three points behind fifth-placed Aldershot Town ahead of Saturday’s final fixtures.

Whites make the long trip to Barrow AFC while the Shots host third-bottom Braintree Town.

Dover started the game brightly with Miller, crowned the National League Player of the Year earlier in the day, seeing his fifth-minute effort beat goalkeeper Scott Flinders before going just wide.

Flinders was in action again minutes later, diving low to keep out Connor Essam’s header from Joe Healy’s free-kick.

Dover continued to press and midfielder James Hurst fired wide from distance.

It was Macclesfield who threatened next with James Thorne’s shot fizzing just wide of Mitch Walker’s goal.

Miller responded for Dover, curling a shot from the edge of the box inches over before the striker had a claim for handball waved away.

The visitors tried their luck from range next, with Rhys Browne’s effort going just over.

That man Miller saw another shot whistle wide before Macclesfield stunned the home faithful with Ollie Norburn’s goal in the 32^nd minute.

The midfielder got on the end of Andy Hall’s cross to give Walker no chance and stun the home faithful.

Dover replied with Essam heading wide before the equaliser arrived courtesy of Miller’s penalty five minutes before half-time.

Healy’s flick was handled by Danny Whittaker and Miller sent Flinders the wrong way to register his 37^th goal of the campaign.

Miller was again at the centre of the attention early in the second half.

He saw his powerfully struck 25-yard free-kick gathered at the second attempt by Flinders.

His next effort was not so impressive after he deflected Aswad Thomas’ goal-bound header up and over from close range in the 67^th minute.

That miss proved to be costly with the visitors regaining the lead just three minutes later through Anthony Dudley.

He found himself free on goal and his effort went through Walker’s legs

Essam missed a glorious chance to put Whites back on level terms soon after but the big defender headed Sam Magri’s pin-point free-kick over.

Lafayette handed Dover a lifeline with three minutes to go, after the frontman fired home substitute Moses Emmanuel’s pass.

Flinders then dived bravely at the feet of Lafayette before Emmanuel headed over following Essam’s header across goal.

Healy glanced a header just wide before Macclesfield hit the post through Dudley.

Earlier, Kinnear had to make one enforced change to his starting side following Saturday’s loss with Thomas replacing injured Ricky Modeste.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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