DOVER 3-2 GATESHEAD

Gallifuoco (37), Bird pen (66), Azeez 88              

Vassell (24), Johnson pen (83)

Ade Azeez’ late winner kept alive Dover’s play-off hopes in a thrilling Community Day game at Crabble on Saturday.

The substitute followed up on Anthony Jeffrey’s shot after visiting goalie Dan Hanford spilled the pacy winger’s low shot.

A Giancarlo Gallifouco header and Ryan Bird’s spot kick cancelled out Theo Vassell’s impressive opener, but Danny Johnson’s penalty seemed to have secured a point for the visitors.

However Azeez slotted in two minutes from time to raise Chris Kinnear’s men into the top seven.

The home side started brightly and Bird headed wide from Mitch Brundle’s cross early on.

And Gateshead almost scored their first goal at Crabble this century as debutant Macauley Langstaff prodded wide from Scott Barrow’s cross.

Mitch Pinnock was left wondering how he did not get any contact on Jeffrey’s flashed ball across the box and soon after, Femi Ilesanmi was next to test the Gateshead backline.

The defender burst forward and drilled just wide of Hanford’s far post.

And Dover play-off chances were left hanging by a thread on 21 minutes.

Vassell, in space 30 yards from goal, found the top corner via the post much to home stopper Mitch Walker’s surprise.

Pinnock almost replied instantly for Athletic, firing narrowly wide from outside the area.

And Manny Parry also tried his best to level, heading Brundle’s corner straight into Hanford’s arms.

At the other end, Paddy McLauglin missed a glorious chance to double the visitor’s lead, volleying Barrow’s ball off target with the target gaping.  

But it was Gallifuoco to the rescue with a crucial equaliser seven minutes before the break.

The Australian rose highest to bullet a header past a statuesque Hanford from Brundle’s set piece

Boss Kinnear then almost saw his side go ahead moment’s later with Jeffrey and Bird both seeing their shots blocked.

After the break, Vassell almost doubled his tally for the afternoon, curling wide of the top corner.

And another player nearly doubled his goals scored in the match minutes before the hour mark.

Gallifuoco headed Bird’s cross goalwards, but he could not keep his effort on target.

But Bird’s 16th National League goal of the season had Dover ahead for the first time in the game.

Jeffrey teased a foul in the area and Dover’s striker sent Hanford the wrong way from the spot.

But it was another penalty that nearly ended Dover’s play-off hopes.

Brundle clattered Richard Peniket in the box after the substitute latched onto a flick-on, leaving Johnson to slot in the resultant penalty.

However Azeez struck late in the day to hand Dover a vital win and keep alive his side’s promotion hopes..

Earlier, boss Kinnear made two changes to the side that lost to Tranmere on Tuesday night.  Nortei Nortey and Bird replaced Liam Bellamy and Azeez, who started as substitutes.

Dover:  Walker, Parry, Essam (Marsh-Brown 88), Lokko, Gallifuoco, Brundle (c), Nortey, Ilesanmi, Jeffrey, Bird (Azeez 79), Pinnock (Passley 73).

Subs not used:  Daniel, Bellamy.

Gateshead:  Hanford, Vassell, Byrne (c), Mellish (York 73), Kerr, Barrow, McLaughlin, Penn, Langstaff (Peniket 63), Johnson, Burrow (Preston 63).

Subs not used:  Montgomery, Green.

Dover’S play-off hopes hang in the balance following a narrow defeat to fellow promotion chasers Tranmere at Crabble on Tuesday night.

Andy Cook capitalised on Manny Parry’s error six minutes before the break and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, in spite of Connor Essam’s attempts to clear the ball off the line.

And Cook could have added to his tally of 25 goals this season earlier in the match, racing through on goal within seconds of the kick-off, but Mitch Walker was equal to the National League’s top scorer’s low drive.

Cook and strike partner James Norwood then combined with the latter seeing his strike blocked by Essam.

Visiting stopper Scott Davies misjudged a free kick into the area, but his backline spared the keeper’s blushes after the ball flew over the former Fleetwood Town man’s head.

Livewire Cook almost stunned the home crowd, turning his man and curling inches wide from 25-yards.

And at the other end, Parry skied from over close range following a corner and the same player rose highest to meet Mitch Pinnock’s cross, but nodded over.

But it was Cook who opened the scoring and Rovers almost doubled their lead following the restart..

Connor Jennings sprinted clear, but was unable to find a way past Walker.

Cook could only direct Larnell Cole’s cross into Walker’s arms and James Norburn’s 20-yard rocket had Athletic’s stopper scrambling across his goal.

And hotshot forward Cook went for glory from distance after Norwood nodded the ball into his path, missing the far post by inches.

Athletic pressed for an leveller, but were unable to find a way past a resolute Rovers defence.  The loss sees Whites drop once place to ninth in the standings, three points outside the play-offs.

Earlier boss Kinnear made one change to the side that started at Maidenhead on Saturday.  Azeez replaced Ryan Bird, who started as a substitute.

Dover:  Walker, Ilesanmi, Gallifouco, Parry, Essam, Brundle (c), Pinnock (Marsh-Brown 69), Jeffrey (Daniel 69), Lokko, Bellamy, Azeez (Bird 73).

Subs not used:  Passley, Nortey.

Tranmere:  Davies, McNulty (c), Buxton, Hughes, Jennings, Norwood, Sutton, Ridehalgh, Cole (Harris 83), Norburn, Cook.

Subs not used:  Taylor, Mangan, Ginnelly, Clarke,

Referee:  David Rock

Yellows:  Jeffrey (Dover), Buxton, Ridehalgh (Tranmere)

Attendance:  1,231

MAIDENHEAD 3-2 DOVER

Hyde (52), Upward (60), Kilman (90)

Jeffrey (49), Parry (54)

Whites missed the chance to move into the play-offs after Maidenhead’s injury time winner.

Max Kilman strode forward And fired a deflected 30-yard shot into the top corner to hand the home team the points in a game Whites’ twice led.

Early in the game, Mitch Brundle lashed a 25-yard effort on goal, which home stopper Carl Pentney held onto.

And Femi Ilesanmi then saw his close-range effort from Mitch Pinnock’s lay-off blocked by the United defence. 

Sam Barrett fired goalwards from the edge of the area, with Mitch Walker able to get his whole body behind the ball.

And a frantic start continued with Pinnock curling a shot narrowly wide of Pentney’s post.

And Ryan bird went close just moments later.

The striker rose above the home defence to meet Femi Ilesanmi’s cross, but could only head over the crossbar.

Pinnock headed Pentney’s punch back towards goal, but Maidenhead’s keeper was quick to get back onto his line and catch the ball.

And Whites thought they were ahead on 37 minutes.

Pentney parried Pinnock’s drive with Giancarlo Gallifuoco ready at the back post to head home, but the Australian’s celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Alan Massey then came to the rescue for the hosts just before the break, clearing Anthony Jeffrey’s deflected cross from underneath the bar.

But Whites were ahead four minutes after the restart thanks to that man Jeffrey.

The pacy winger’s cross seemed to deceive Pentney and found it’s way into the far corner for the Sutton loanee’s first goal for Dover.

However Athletic’s lead did not last long as Jake Hyde swept in Barrett’s set piece just minutes later.

The response from Chris Kinnear’s men was instant thanks to Manny Parry’s fifth National League goal of the season.

The defender collected Pinnock’s flick and fired into the bottom corner to put the away side ahead for a second time.

And the goals kept coming in an entertaining half.

Barrett’s long throw found it’s way to Upward at the back post, who had the simple task of blasting United level.

As the game drew to a close, sub Sean Marks volleyed wide and at the other end, no Dover player was able to connect with Ilesanmi’s cross-cum-shot.

But the home side had the final say as Kilman fired home the winner that secured safety for Maidenhead in their debut campaign in non-league’s top flight.

Earlier, Kinnear made two changes to the side that started against Torquay last week.  Liam Bellamy and Pinnock replaced Josh Passley and Nortei Nortey, who started as substitutes.  

Maidenhead:  Petney, Steer, Massey, Goodman, Kilman, Odemetey, Upward, Comley, Barrett, Hyde (Marks 80), Clifton (Pritchard 86).

Subs not used:  Emmanuel, Owusu, Smith.

Dover:  Walker, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Bellamy Okosieme 90), Pinnock (Daniel 65), Bird, Jeffrey (Azeez 80)

Subs not used:  Passley, Nortey.

Attendance:  1,155

Dover 1-0 Torquay

(Bird penalty 57)

RYAN Bird’s second half penalty was enough for Dover to see off nine-man Torquay.

The striker slammed in his 15th National League goal of the season as Chris Kinnear’s men recorded a fourth consecutive victory at Crabble.

Mitch Brundle had the game’s first shot on target just past the ten minute mark, spinning his defender and firing low at visiting keeper Ryan Clarke from just inside the area.

Rhys Healey, booked moments earlier for simulation in the penalty box, volleyed well wide from close range after a fine initial touch.

Cardiff loanee Healey then cut in from the left and fired towards goal, but Walker was able to dive onto the midfielder’s effort.

Ryan Bird could only head wide after Anthony Jeffrey outpaced his marker and crossed towards the striker and at the other end, Liam Davis lashed a volley high and wide of the mark.

Healey almost had the away side in front, controlling Luke Young’s corner and flashing a volley a mere inches past the post.

And Elliott Romain was almost gifted a goal by the Dover defence.

Kevin Lokko’s poor touch almost gave the Dagenham & Redbridge loanee a clear sight of goal, however Walker was on hand to gather the ball.

Brundle’s free-kick from the left hand side almost found it’s way into the top corner, but Clarke denied the Dover skipper with his fingertips.

Brett Williams was then within a whisker of connecting to Young’s wayward strike before the referee blew for half-time.

Following the restart, Jeffrey collected Femi Ilesanmi’s pass and after a dart into the area, lashed a shot onto the foot of the post with the Torquay defence able to clear the rebound.

But Whites had the lead just minutes later thanks to Bird.

The striker stepped up to slam in his third spot kick of the season after Connor Evans’ handball in the box.

And The Gulls’ task was made even more difficult when Healey was shown a second yellow card following a rash challenge on Connor Essam.

But the ten men of Torquay almost snatched a point.  Firstly Young forced Walker to tip away his ferocious 20 yard volley and then was on hand to claw away Romain’s header.

United were reduced to nine men in injury time as Romain was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Gallifuoco.

But Athletic held on for the crucial three points to keep them in the play-off hunt.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made three changes to the side that started at Ebbsfleet on Bank Holiday Monday. Nortei Nortey, Josh Passley and Jeffrey replaced Mitch Pinnock, Ade Azeez and Liam Bellamy, who all started as substitutes.

Dover:  Walker, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Passley, Nortey, Brundle, Gallifuoco, Ilesanmi, Bird, Jeffrey (Azeez 82)

Subs not used: Pinnock, Daniel, Bellamy, Marsh-Brown.

Torquay:  Clarke, McGinty, Gowling, Balatoni (Efete 63), Barnes (Reid 76), Young, Evans, Davis, Healey, Williams, Romain.

Subs not used:  Pittman, Klukowski, Osborn.

Attendance:  1,128

Referee:  Carl Brooks

Ebbsfleet 2-1 Dover

(Shields 55), (Drury 90+6)        (Marsh-Brown penalty 90+3)

WHITES National league play-off hopes were dealt a blow after Andy Drury grabbed a last minute winner for Ebbsfleet in Bank Holiday Monday’s Kent derby at Stonebridge Road.

The midfielder slotted in from a tight angle following a free-kick to cancel out Keanu Marsh-Brown’s penalty just minutes earlier.

Hosts United, who had taken a second half lead through Sean Shields, were nearly ahead within minutes of the kick off as Corey Whitely volleyed Marvin McCoy’s cross just over.

At the other end, a long throw ended with Mitch Brundle firing a deflected effort into home stopper Nathan Ashmore’s hands.

And Mitch Walker was called into action for the first time midway through the first half.

The visiting keeper reached down low to tip Drury’s low drive onto the post and away from danger.

Femi Ilesanmi found himself as the last line of defence after Ashmore’s long kick set Luke Coulson clear, but the wing-back was able to come away with the ball following a perfectly-timed tackle.

Walker was soon on hand to deny United once again, this time saving Danny Kedwell’s goalbound header.

Ade Azeez then slid in to connect to Ilesanmi’s cross-cum-shot, but was unable get the crucial touch as the ball rolled out for a goal kick.

Dave Winfield and Coulson seemed to clash as they both simultaneously headed Kedwell’s cross wide and shortly after, Whitely flashed an effort from the edge of the area past the wrong side of Walker’s right hand post.

And with the break looming, Shields blazed over from 20 yards after getting the better of Giancarlo Gallifuoco out wide.

Ebbsfleet had the lead nine minutes after the restart as Shields cut inside Azeez out wide and fired through Walker from an angle.

Whites tried to hit back and substitute Josh Passley nearly levelled when his deep cross looped just beyond the corner of post and bar with Ashmore beaten.

Kedwell smashed a low shot wide from outside the area and goalscorer Shields tested Walker from range.

And Dover’s captain went even closer to finding the net from distance.

Brundle collected sub Marsh-Brown’s pass and rattled the crossbar with a 30 yard strike.

And Chris Kinnear’s men thought they were going home with a point after Marsh-Brown sent Ashmore the wrong way following the referee’s decision to award a penalty once Gallifuoco was felled in the box.

But Drury had the final say with a last-gasp winner as Athletic lost their second consecutive National League match.

Earlier, boss Kinnear named the same side that started at Eastleigh on Tuesday night.  Nortei Nortey replaced Ejiro Okosieme on the bench.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, McCoy, Rance, Winfield (c), Clark, Drury, Kedwell, Shields, Coulson (Weston 84), Bush, Whitely (Powell 90).

Subs not used: Connors, Miles, Wabo.

Dover: Walker, Parry (Passley 62), Essam, Lokko, Gallifuoco, Brundle (c), Bellamy, Ilesanmi, Pinnock (Jeffrey 62), Bird (Marsh-Brown 74), Azeez.

Subs not used:  Nortey, Daniel.

Referee: Alan Young

Attendance: 1,735

EASTLEIGH 2-1 DOVER

(McCallum 84, 90)    (Bird 22)

WHITES four-match National League unbeaten run was ended by Paul McCallum’s late double.

The striker cancelled out Ryan Bird’s opener by slotting home from close range just six minutes from time and then headed in a late winner as Chris Kinnear’s men lost at Eastleigh for the first time in non-league’s top tier.

The visitors fashioned the first chance of the match as Mitch Brundle headed Mitch Pinnock’s inswinging cross goalwards, but the Dover captain’s downward header bounced into home keeper Graham Stack’s arms.

And at the other end Spitfires skipper Ryan Cresswell went close, nodding Mark Yeates’ corner wide.

But it was Whites who had the lead midway through the first half.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco released Bird for the striker to blast his 14th National League goal of the season past a helpless Stack.

Pinnock almost doubled Athletic’s lead, forcing Stack to tip away his fiercely struck 25-yard free kick.

And Ade Azeez was next to try his luck from range, driving a low effort narrowly wide via a deflection.

Ayo Obileye then went close for the hosts, but could only kick air when trying to connect with Ryan Broom’s accurate cross.

Following the restart, Kevin Lokko, sporting Nortey Nortei’s shirt after suffering a cut to the head in the first half, headed Brundle’s corner just over.

And Azeez needed just a couple more inches to be able to convert Pinnock’s cross to the back post.

The forward, on loan from Cambridge, then blasted wide after getting the better of Cresswell out wide.

Sam Matthews’ volleyed onto the roof of Walker’s net as the home team pushed  forward for equaliser.

And the host’s leveller came courtesy of McCallum with the attacker slotting through the legs of Walker just a few yards from goal following good work from Matthews.

And the Spitfires’ winner arrived as the clocked ticked towards injury time.

Sub Ben Williamson crossed for McCallum to rise above he Dover defence and head past Walker’s despairing dive to complete his brace.

Earlier Kinnear made one change to the side that started in Saturday’s goalless draw at Barrow.  Bird replaced Keanu Marsh-Brown, who started as a substitute.

Eastleigh: Stack, Cresswell (c), Wood, McCallum, Yeates, Zebroski, Broom, Obileye (Williamson 71), Boyce, Miley, Matthews (Togwell 90).

Subs not used:  Flitney, Hollands, Dennett.

Dover: Walker, Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Brundle (c), Pinnock, Bird (Jeffrey 80), Lokko, Bellamy, Azeez.

Subs not used: Passley, Okosieme, Daniel, Marsh-Brown.

Referee:  Richard Hulme

Attendance:  1,450

WHITES extended their unbeaten National League run with a goalless draw at struggling Barrow.

In a game of few chances, sub Anthony Jeffrey almost won the match late on after sprinting clear, but was unable to keep his poked shot on target.

Luke James struck the first effort of the game, hitting the roof of visiting keeper Mitch Walker’s net with a lobbed volley from just inside the area.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco headed Mitch Brundle’s free kick wide and Mitch Pinnock curled a shot past the wrong side of the post as Whites created two chances midway through the half.

Captain Brundle then strode forward and fired an effort straight down the throat of home stopper Steve Arnold.

The home side also went close with Ollie Cook inches away from connecting to Moussa Diarra’s flick-on as the first half ended goalless.

Following the restart, Bedsente Gomis headed Calum MacDonald’s cross into Walker’s arms.

And the home fans were almost cheering after Luke James won a free kick 25-yards from goal.

Calum MacDonald’s curling set piece beat Walker, but not the upright with the ball bouncing out for a grateful Kevin Lokko to head clear.

Arnold easily caught Lokko’s audacious back heel as Athletic registered their first shot of the second half and at the other end Asa Hall was unable to direct his volley from Diarra’s flick on target.

The draw see Dover remain seventh in the standings, five points clear of eight-placed Fylde.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made kept with the same side that won against Macclesfield last weekend. Ejiro Okosieme replaced Nortei Nortey on the bench.

Whites next travel to Eastleigh on Tuesday 27th March.  Kick off 7:45pm.

Barrow:  Arnold, Makoma, Cook, Diarra, MacDonald, Hall, Gomis, K.James, Holt (White 84), L.James, Walters (Bauress 74).

Subs not used:  Jones, Waterston, Diagne.

Dover:  Walker, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Gallifuoco, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Bellamy, Pinnock (Jeffrey 65), Azeez (Daniel 75), Marsh-Brown (Bird 53).

Subs not used:  Okosieme, Passley

Attendance:  908

DOVER 2-0 MACCLESFIELD
(Marsh-Brown 2, 36)

A debut brace from Keanu Marsh-Brown saw Whites beat leaders Macclesfield at a snow swept Crabble on Saturday.

The winger, signed on loan from Forest Green, made the ideal start to his Dover career, placing the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards with the game barely a minute old.

And Marsh-Brown slotted in nine minutes before half-time as Chris Kinnear’s side register a third consecutive National League victory.

However Athletic are also indebted to one of their defenders preserving the home team’s lead just minutes after the opening goal.

Defender Manny Parry bravely blocked Mitch Hancox’s volley from point-blank range to deny the midfielder a what seemed a certain goal.

Home stopper Mitch Walker was then relieved to see Keith Lowe curl the ball some distance over the bar after the centre back received the ball in space.

Scott Wilson seemed certain to add to his 13 league goals for the visitors this season after sprinting clear, but Connor Essam superbly denied Town’s top scorer with a last ditch tackle.

Elliott Durrell then tested Walker twice with efforts straight at the home keeper.

And Dover and Marsh-Brown duly punished their opponents on 36 minutes.

The Forest Green loanee sprinted onto Femi Ilesanmi’s lofted ball and left Shwan Jalal grasping at thin air after rounding the visiting stopper.

Left back Ilesanmi almost added a third just before the break, but smashed his effort just wide of the far post.

Walker was forced into more action soon after the break, diving down low to save Hancox’s low fizzing strike and clasping onto the ball at the second attempt.

Athletic’s goalie then breathed a huge sigh of relief after the away team missed a glorious opportunity to halve the deficit.

After evading Walker’s challenge, Wilson laid the ball for Danny Whitehead to fire home, but in trying to avoid the Dover defenders on the goalline, the midfielder blasted narrowly wide.

Marsh-Brown thought he had a debut hattrick after curling towards the top corner, but Jalal denied the attacker the matchball in stunning fashion, tipping the ball around the post.

The visiting keeper produced another impressive save from the resultant Mitch Pinnock corner, this time pushing away Parry’s bullet header.

Walker punched away Hancox’s long range shot and Keith Lowe could only find the side-netting form an angle.

And Parry ensured Whites kept a third consecutive clean sheet, clearing sub Tyrone Marsh’s effort of the line.

The victory sees Dover remain seventh in the National League standings, four points ahead of AFC Fylde in eighth.

Earlier, Chris Kinnear made one change to the side that started at Chester in their last game. Marsh-Brown replaced Ryan Bird, who started on the bench.

Dover: Walker, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Gallifuoco, Brundle (c), Bellamy, Ilesanmi, Marsh-Brown (Jeffrey 66), Azeez (Bird 87), Pinnock (Daniel 69).

Subs not used: Passley, Nortey.

Macclesfield: Jalal, Hodgkiss (Evans 82) (c), Pilkington, Lowe, Fitzpatrick, Durrell, Whitehead, Whitaker, Hancox (Burgess 82), Wilson (Marsh 69), Blissett.

Subs not used: Ramsbottom, Kennedy.

Attendance: 837

Referee: Sam Purkiss

CHESTER 0-2 DOVER

Lokko (64)
Astles og (71)

WHITES continued their play-off push with a win at struggling Chester on Tuesday night.

A header from Kevin Lokko and an own goal from home skipper Ryan Astles after the restart saw Dover win their second consecutive league game as they rose one place to sixth in the National League ladder.

Chris Kinnear’s men almost made the ideal start as Adebayo Azeez skewed an effort wide after turning his marker in the box.

The host’s first meaningful attack came from Andy Halls. Femi Ilesanmi’s tackle on Gary Roberts fell into the path of the defender, who could only stab wide of the far post.

Athletic then tried their luck on goal twice in quick succession. Firstly, Cambridge loanee Azeez scooped Mitch Brundle’s fiercely struck free kick into the grateful arms of home keeper Andrew Firth.

Moments later, Ryan Bird sliced wide after Mitch Pinnock played in the forward.

At the other end, Roberts curled a wicked free kick onto the roof of Mitch Walker’s net and Dover’s keeper saved well from the head of Shaun Hobson.

Kevin Lokko twice went close from corners for the away team, but it was Chester who went closest just before the half time whistle.

Harry White run onto Jordan Archer’s flick-on, but the striker could not get the better of a sprawling Walker, with Dover’s stopper able to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Following the restart, Azeez blasted over from the edge of the box and Mitch Brundle tested Firth with a low 20-yard drive minutes later.

Walker was out quickly to grab the ball from Matty Waters after the attacker got the better of two Dover defenders.

And Whites’ stopper produced an even finer piece of goalkeeping to deny
Tom Crawford.

Walker athletically beat away the midfielder’s deflected volley before the ball could reach the top corner.

White then blazed wide after a run from deep and Marcus Bignot’s side were punished for their missed chances.

Brundle’s accurate corner was met by the head of Lokko and the defender, signed on-loan from Stevenage last month, guided the ball into the top corner to open his account for the club.

And seven minutes later the visitors lead was doubled.

Jeffrey outpaced Halls to reach Brundle’s through ball and though Astles was first to the winger’s ball into the box, Chester’s big defender was only able to divert the ball past a stunned Firth and into his own net.

And the drama was not over as the another defensive mix-up almost handed Kinnear’s side a third goal.

Azeez headed Jeffrey’s cross towards Hobson standing on the goalline, but hesitation from the centre back almost allowed Azeez to steal in before the ball was finally cleared.

And Dominic Vose had one final chance for Chester in injury time, but lashed his free kick well over.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made two changes to the side that started against Leyton Orient on Saturday. Manny Parry and Liam Bellamy replaced Nortei Nortey and Josh Passley, who started as substitutes.

Chester: Firth, Halls (Mahon 82), Astles (c), White, Hobson, Vose, Waters, Crawford, Roberts, Archer, Anderson (Hannah 69).

Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Jones, Akintunde.

Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Ilesanmi, Bellamy (Passley 74), Brundle (c), Pinnock (Daniel 66), Bird (Jeffrey 61), Azeez.

Subs not used: Okosieme, Nortey.

DOVER 1-0 LEYTON ORIENT

Pinnock (82)

MITCH Pinnock’s volley eight minutes from time saw Whites beat Leyton Orient at Crabble on Saturday and move up to seventh in the standings.

The midfielder collected Ade Azeez’ pass and fired into the top corner to score for a fourth successive league match.

The game, the only National League fixture this weekend to survive the freezing temperatures across the UK, started slowly with Azeez’s shot wide from Ryan Bird’s pass the only effort of note in the first quarter of an hour.

Josh Koroma had the game’s first shot on target as home keeper Mitch Walker acrobatically saved the winger’s free kick.

And the from the resultant corner, Craig Clay’s goalbound header bounced off Azeez’ shoulder and over the bar, with some Orient players appealing in vain for a hand ball against Dover’s attacker.

Striker Azeez then nodded Pinnock’s set piece over as the match picked up pace.

The Cambridge loanee tried his luck again shortly after, this time driving straight at visiting keeper Dean Brill from an angle.

Macauley Bonne headed Koroma’s free kick into the hands of Walker and the Zimbabwean international somehow ballooned over as he raced through following a swift Orient counter attack.

Azeez blazed over on the stroke of half time after the away defence unwittingly played him in, with Mitch Brundle quick to vent his frustration at the striker’s decision to go for glory rather than find Dover’s captain at the far post.

Following the restart, Brundle stung the palms of Brill from distance and Orient’s goalie reacted well to turn away Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s backwards header.

Dan Holman almost netted after finding room in the box and fizzing a shot just wide of Walker’s post.

And one of Athletic’s players went even closer moments later.

Brundle’s free kick struck the visiting wall and fell into Nortei Nortey’s path, with the midfielder drilling a 20-yard effort against the base of the post.

Walker foiled another Koroma free kick, flinging himself low to tip the winger’s curler wide.

But it was the 26-year old’s next two saves that proved pivotal to Whites win.

With Holman bearing down on goal, Athletic’s keeper came out quickly to block the striker. Lemar Reynolds then fired the rebound against the post, with Walker spreading himself to deny the lieing-in-wait Ebou Adams.

And once Pinnock struck, Orient were only able to muster one more attempt at goal.

But defender Josh Coulson skewed Bonne’s pass horribly wide deep in injury time as Chris Kinnear’s men held on to register a second successive home league win.

Earlier, Dover’s boss made two changes to the side that started away at Fylde last weekend. Kevin Lokko and Nortey replaced Manny Parry and Liam Bellamy, who began as substitutes.

Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Lokko, Passley (Okosieme 56), Brundle (c), Nortey (Bellamy 70), Ilesanmi, Pinnock, Bird (Parry 90), Azeez.

Subs not used: Jeffrey, Daniel.

Leyton Orient: Brill, Caprice (Harrold 87), Coulson (c), Widdowson, Ling (Brophy 66), Koroma, Clay, Adams, Reynolds (Ekpiteta 77), Holman, Bonne.

Subs not used: Grainger, Lawless.

Referee: Christopher O’Donnell

Attendance: 1,348 (299 Leyton Orient)

Yellows: Essam, Gallifuoco (Dover)