Report

A second-half brace from Inih Effiong maintained Dover’s perfect record on the road this season.

The striker headed home Michael Woods’ cross and then curled home with a minute remaining to move him two goals clear at the top of Athletic’s goalscoring charts with five goals.

The victory, Dover’s sixth consecutive away win dating back to April, lifts Andy Hessenthaler’s men up to fifth on the National League ladder.

Earlier, the first shot on target came from the home side as Scott Brown volleyed straight at visiting keeper Lee Worgan.

Moments later home stopper James Belshaw dived to keep out Woods’ low drive, with Jack Munns blasting narrowly wide just seconds after.

Worgan was then called into action in spectacular fashion, tipping away Jack Muldoon’s stunning 25-yard volley on the turn.

Josh Passley went for goal for the visitors after cutting onto his left-foot but curled just over.

Jai Reason also went for glory, this time from an angle, only send his first-time volley narrowly above the crossbar.

Whites went close to opening the scoring two minutes into the second-half through Effiong.

Great interplay saw the forward slipped in, but the striker slid the ball onto the outside of the post and into the surrounding advertising boards.

Belshaw then parried L’Ghoul’s hopeful shot from distance with Effiong blasting the rebound into the side netting from the tightest of angles.

Another long-distance effort, this time from Reason, was almost deflected into the goal by Effiong.

Worgan then denied Harrogate what seemed a certain goal on the hour mark.

After Brown had tricked his way past three Dover players in the box, Athletic’s stopper was out of his goal quickly to deny the Gate midfielder.

That save proved crucial as Whites went ahead with their next attack.

Woods fired in a cross for Effiong to direct a header out of Belshaw’s reach and into the top corner to send the Dover travelling support behind the away goal into wild celebrations.

And the big striker curled in his second with a minute remaining to seal the three points in North Yorkshire.

Earlier boss Hessenthaler made three changes to the side that started against Woking on Bank Holiday Monday.

Attackers Effiong and Rigg replaced the injured duo Alfie Pavey and Ricky Modeste, while Reason replaced the suspended Kurtis Cumberbatch.

Whites next host Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday 3rd September.  Kick-off 7:45 pm.

Photo Credit:  Harrogate Town FC

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

HARROGATE TOWN REACTION