Report

TWO first-half goals condemned Dover to a fourth consecutive home defeat and left Andy Hessenthaler’s men marooned at the bottom of the National League by five points.

An early strike from Tomi Adeloye and a header from Harry Phipps meant Athletic’s first game back in the Crabble dugout ended in a loss.

Kadell Daniel’s early 25-yard snapshot tested visiting keeper Elliot Justham.

But the Daggers had the lead on ten minutes with their first meaningful attack.

Adeloye skipped past two challenges before curling a sumptuous effort past the despairing dive of Mitch Walker in the Dover goal.

And Phipps stabbed wide from a corner as the away side pushed to double their lead.

Angelo Balanta curled just off target from the edge of the box and Mitch Brundle saw his shot bravely blocked by defender Matt Robinson.

Another block, this time from Dagenham captain Ben Nunn denied Jamie Allen on the turn.

And at the other end, Josh Passley last-ditch tackle denied the counter-attacking Alex McQueen.

But the Essex side doubled their lead from the resultant corner.

A corner from the right was powerfully met by Phipps, who thundered a header into the bottom corner with a minute of the half remaining.

Following the restart, Inih Effiong thundered Joshua Debayo’s cross onto the crossbar.

Walker was needed to deny McQueen from extending the Daggers lead, palming the forward’s angled shot into the air, before gathering at the second attempt.

Effiong was then denied by the woodwork for a second time.  Bobby-Joe Taylor teasing pass was crashed against the angle of post and bar by the striker.

Dover forward Effiong then struck the woodwork for a third time, this time seeing Justham pushing his curling free-kick onto the post.

Sub Jai Reason volleyed Effiong’s lay-off narrowly over, while Walker was out quickly to deny Jack Munns following a poorly placed back pass.

And Allen’s header wide from Debayo’s pass summed up Whites’ night in front of goal.

Justham tipped over Essam’s late headed effort, but Dover were unable to pull a goal back.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made two changes to the side that started at Braintree on Saturday with Jamie Allen and Daniel coming in for Nortei Nortey and Bedsente Gomis, who started as substitutes.

Whites next host Maidenhead United in the National League on Saturday 3rd November, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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