Report

JAMIE Grimes’ second goal in as many games was not enough to prevent Dover from losing 2-1 against Macclesfield Town at the Moss Rose on Tuesday.

The captain, who found the back of the net against York on Saturday, gave Dover a half-time lead before the hosts secured the points through Chris Holroyd’s double.

Although he was thrilled to score his third goal of the season, Grimes admitted he’d rather have returned home with three points.

He said: “We conceded two sloppy goals and it cost us again.

“We battled hard as a team to try and get a result but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”

Despite the loss, Grimes’ side stay fifth ahead of the trip to Lincoln City on February 20.

Grimes said: “It’s nice to have a bit of a break now to work on a few things before that game.”

Macclesfield started the game strongly and Dover goalkeeper Steve Arnold saved from Danny Rowe in the opening minutes before the winger saw his shot cannon into a crowded area and go wide seconds later.

Dover’s first attack in the seventh minute ended with James Hurst, making his first start, seeing his thunderous shot deflected behind for a corner.

But it wasn’t long before Grimes stunned the home crowd by beating goalkeeper Scott Flinders to Hurst’s free-kick to head his side ahead.

The lead was almost doubled when Ross Lafayette saw his effort cleared off the line with Flinders beaten.

Hurst tried his luck from range but his shot sailed harmlessly wide of Flinders goal.

Macclesfield replied with Kingsley James’ shot failing to trouble Arnold before Chris Holroyd volleyed Rowe’s cross wide.

The hosts continued to press with both Neill Byrne and James heading over from consecutive Rowe corners.

Ricky Miller’s first effort of the night came in first-half stoppage time, chipping just over Flinders’ bar.

The second half started with James shooting well wide before Hurst forced Flinders into a flying save moments later.

Moses Emmanuel had a goal disallowed for offside following a smart pass by Lafayette.

Chris Kinnear jnr replaced Hurst seven minutes in the half and the midfielder volleyed just past Flinders’ goal soon after.

Holroyd finally gave the home fans something to cheer about when he turned home Whitaker’s effort from close range in the 67^h minute, despite Dover’s appeals for offside.

And the Silkmen’s leading scorer added a second seven minutes later after he raced clear to slot past Arnold.

Dover went in search of an equaliser and Flinders needed to be at his best to turn aside Emmanuel’s dipping volley.

But there was to be no coming back.

Earlier, Kinnear made two changes to his starting line-up from the side that drew with York.

Ricky Modeste replaced Sammy Moore after the midfielder was recalled by his parent club Leyton Orient while Hurst replaced Stevenson.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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