DOVER 2-2 MAIDSTONE

(Nortey 58)  (Piggott (36,41)
(Bird 80)

RYAN Bird’s goal ten minutes from time saw Whites complete an impressive second half comeback in a thrilling Boxing Day Kent derby at a rainy Crabble.

Trailing to two Joe Piggott strikes at the break, Nortei Nortey headed home shortly after the restart and Bird pounced to level the scores after visiting keeper Lee Worgan parried sub Kadell Daniel’s cross-cum-shot to Athletic’s top scorer.

The visitors fashioned the first chance, but Aaron Collins was unable to direct Piggott’s high ball into the box on target.

The Wolves loanee then tried again, this time testing home stopper Mitch Walker from twenty-yards.

Dover’s first shot on target came on 21 minutes from Bird as he headed Mitch Pinnock’s free-kick straight at Worgan.

And Anthony Jeffrey also attempted to score with his head, but nodded Josh Passley’s centre well wide of the mark.

A set piece provided Whites next chance as Connor Essam nodded over Pinnock’s corner.

And seconds later Bird almost put the hosts ahead.  The striker fired Femi Ilesanmi’s low cross towards the bottom corner, but Worgan flung himself to tip the ball around the post.

But it was the away side who had the lead ten minutes before the break.

Seth Nana Twusami took advantage of hesitation by Jeffrey and crossed for Collins, who flicked the ball away from Walker’s clutches and straight to the laying-in-wait Piggott to take a touch and curl into the far corner.

And Maidstone’s top scorer doubled his match tally minutes later.

The forward was left alone in the box to power in his 12th of the season from Jamar Loza’s accurate cross.

The forward almost had his hat-trick after the break, but was unable to get the better of Walker at the near post after winning a tussle in the penalty area.

Skipper Mitch Brundle almost had Dover back in contention, striking the underside of the crossbar with a stunning 30-yard lob.

And Athletic went close again minutes later with Worgan forced to tip over Passley’s floated ball into the box.

The home pressure continued with Bird a whisker away from connecting to Pinnock’s driven pass across the goalmouth.

But Dover were back in the game with just over 30 minutes left of the clock.

Passley tossed in a ball from the right for Nortey to head into the bottom corner – past Worgan’s despairing grasp.

The home crowd were almost celebrating an equaliser shortly after, but Kadell Daniel stabbed over Manny Parry’s ball to him from close range.

But the substitute proved integral to Whites equaliser ten minutes from time.  The winger’s long-range shot from an angle deceived Worgan, who could only parry the ball upwards, allowing Bird to gleefully prod in his twelfth National League goal of the season.

Stones’ goalie faired better when blocking Pinnock’s lashed effort with his legs as the home team searched for a winner.

And it looked like Giancarlo Gallifuoco would complete a stunning turnaround, but Worgan somehow caught the Australian’s point-blank header from Brundle’s cross.

Earlier, boss Kinnear kept with the same side that drew at Wrexham on Saturday.

Whites next host FC Halifax Town on Saturday 30th December.  Kick off 3pm.

Dover: Walker, Passley, Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Esssam, Brundle (c), Pinnock, Bird, Nortey, Jeffrey (Daniel 54).

Subs not used: Richards, Fazakerley, Alabi, Dean-Conteh.

Maidstone: Worgan (c), Finney (Okuonghae 15), Wynter, Lewis, Loza (Prestedge 70), Anderson, Reason, Twusami, Hines, Piggott, Collins.

Subs not used: Hare, Paxman, Wraight.

Referee: Sam Purkiss

Attendance: 2,078

 

WREXHAM 0-0 DOVER

Whites continued their unbeaten run against Wrexham with a goalless draw at the Racecourse ground on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams led the way in the National League goals conceded column prior to kick off and that trend continued in a match of few opportunities.

The first chance of note fell to George Miller, but the Middlesbrough loanee sliced horribly wide after Connor Essam misjudged a long ball.

Minutes late, home keeper Chris Dunn was at full stretch to turn away Nortei Nortey’s speculative twenty-yard effort.

Dragons fans celebrations were cut short as Scott Boden was unable to connect to Miller’s dangerous cross.

And Miller almost gave the Welsh side the lead on the stroke of half-time with a header, only for Femi Ilesanmi to flick the ball away for a corner before the striker could make contact with the ball.

The resulting set piece saw a clash of heads between Essam and Manny Parry, leaving both defenders sprawled on the floor needing treatment after the referee signalled for half-time.

Both players eventually made their way down the tunnel to join the manager’s teamtalk, but only Parry returned for the restart with Essam unable to continue.  Loui Fazakerley came on to take the place of Dover’s sweeper.

Both Gallifuoco and Shaun Pearson flashed headers wide at the break, with Marcus Kelly curling a free-kick straight into the arms of Mitch Walker shortly afterwards.

And Dover’s stopper was then called into action as Wrexham fashioned their best chance of the match.

James Jennings’ pinpoint cross was directed goalwards by Miller, but his header lacked the power to truly test Walker, who comfortably dived onto the ball.

Athletic’s number one was far more concerned by Jennings’ drive, flinging himself across his goalline as the fullback fizzed a twenty-yard shot narrowly wide.

The home side fashioned one more chance late on, but Walker was well placed to hold onto Paul Rutherford’s volley after Kevin Roberts’ attempted shot cannoned towards the midfielder.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made one change to the side that beat Eastbourne in the FA Trophy last week.  Josh Passley returned in place of Ejiro Okosieme, who is injured.

The point sees Athletic rise one place to third in the table, three points behind current leaders Macclesfield Town.

Dover next host Maidstone on Tuesday 26th December.  Kick off 3pm.

Wrexham:  Dunn, Jennings, Smith, Pearson (c), Wedgbury, Holroyd, Miller (Massanka 88), Rutherford, Kelly, Roberts, Boden.

Subs not used:  Dibble, Mackreth, Hurst, Carrington.

Dover:  Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam (Fazakerley 45), Parry, Passley (Richards 85), Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Nortey, Pinnock, Bird, Jeffrey (Daniel 65).

Subs not used:  Alabi, Deen-Conteh.

Attendance:  4,980

Referee:  Thomas Bramall

DOVER 3-0 EASTBOURNE

Pinnock (47)
Bird (58)
Alabi (88)

WHITES comfortably progressed into the next round of the FA Trophy thanks to three second half goals at a freezing Crabble on Saturday.

Mitch Pinnock tapped in just after the break and further strikes from Ryan Bird and sub James Alabi saw Dover seal their place in Monday’s second round draw.

Skipper Mitch Brundle almost opened the scoring with a stunning volley, but his effort from Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s cross whistled past the post.

Anthony Jeffrey cut inside and shot after running onto Gallifuoco’s pass, but visiting keeper Mark Smith palmed away his vicious shot.

Visitors Borough almost stunned the home crowd midway through the first half. Shaun Okojie collected Lloyd Dawes pass and after turning past Manny Parry, dragged his effort narrowly wide of the far post.

And Jamie Howell’s men were made to pay for their missed opportunity as Whites broke the deadlock just after the restart.

Pinnock raced to the far post to convert Bird’s angled drive and the lead was almost doubled minutes later.

But Smith was on hand to claw out Gallifuoco’s goalbound header from a Pinnock corner.

However Eastbourne’s stopper was powerless to prevent Bird grabbing his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.

The keeper saved the striker’s header from Brundle’s flick, but the National League’s top scorer was first to react to the rebound, smashing into the back of the net to double Whites lead.

Keeper Smith then blocked Bird’s volley after the attacker latched onto Brundle’s lobbed assist and Nortei Nortey headed over Pinnock’s ball when well placed.

Sub Kadell Daniel showed great skill to twist and turn his man, but his pass across the area just evaded the outstretched legs of Pinnock.

However victory was sealed in injury time thanks to a second goal of the season for Alabi.

The Tranmere loanee slotted in Femi Ilesanmi’s cross-cum-shot from close range.

Nortei almost added an extra layer of gloss to the scoreline in injury time, but his lob bounced on top of the net.

Earlier, boss Chris Kinnear kept faith with the side that started last weekend’s home win against Hartlepool.

Whites return to league action next week when they travel to Wrexham on Saturday 23rd December.  Kick off 3pm.

Dover: Walker, Okosieme (Fazakerley 74), Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Nortey, Jeffrey (Daniel 78), Bird (Alabi 81 ), Pinnock.

Subs not used: Dean-Conteh, Richards.

Eastbourne: Smith, Hendon, Simpemba (c), Khinda-John, McCallum, Dawes (Redwood 81), Wills, Johnson, Richards (Odubade 67), Ransom (Harris 72), Okojie.

Subs not used: Worrall, Armstrong-Ford.

Referee: Neil Hare

Attendance: 424

DOVER 4-0 HARTLEPOOL

Pinnock (3, 25)
Bird (79, 90)

Dover ended their four-match winless run in style with an impressive  4-0 win over 10-man Hartlepool in freezing temperatures at Crabble on Saturday.

A brace in each half from Mitch Pinnock and Ryan Bird saw Whites complete the double over their visitors, who had former Athletic midfielder Nicky Deverdics sent off late on for an alleged elbow on Connor Essam.

The hosts made the ideal start, Pinnock latched onto Nortei Nortey’s lay-off and fired into the bottom corner to double his league tally for the season.

Ryan Bird stabbed Pinnock’s pass wide and visiting keeper Scott Loach dived low to push away Manny Parry’s downward header from Mitch Brundle’s corner.

Man-of-the-match Pinnock then curled an effort straight down the throat of Loach, but the midfielder did not have to wait long to bag his second goal of the game.

Anthony Jeffrey, making his first start for Whites since signing on-loan from Sutton, took advantage of Louis Laing’s slip and passed across the area for Pinnock to tap in.

A spectator for much of the half, home stopper Mitch Walker blocked Liam Donnelly’s drive before diving onto the loose ball.

Femi Ilesanmi had an effort deflected wide following the restart and Pinnock almost found himself clean through, only for the ball to strike the midfielder on the back of the leg.

Walker gratefully clasped onto the ball after Rhys Oates flick-on bounced goalwards off Jack Munns and Dover’s stopper dived onto sub Tom Adeloye’s low drive soon after.

But Hartlepool were unable to breach Whites’ backline and Bird secured the points late on with his 10th and 11th league goals of the campaign.

The striker headed in sub Kadell Daniel’s cross and completed the rout in injury time, stroking home Pinnock’s free kick to move joint top of the National League goalscoring charts.

Earlier, boss Chris Kinnear made two changes to the side that started at Bromley last Saturday.  Ejiro Okosieme and Jeffrey came in for Loui Fazakerley and Kadell Daniel, who were on the bench.

The win sees Whites move up one place to fourth in the standings, three points behind new leaders Macclesfield Town.

Dover now take a break from the league as their FA Trophy campaign gets underway, with Eastbourne Borough the visitors to Crabble on Saturday 16th December.

Dover: Walker, Okosieme, Essam, Parry, Gallifuoco, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Nortey, Jeffrey (Daniel 64), Bird, Pinnock.

Subs not used: Deen-Conteh, Richards, Alabi, Fazakerley.

Hartlepool: Loach, Magnay (c), Ledger (Adams 76), Laing, Deverdics, Munns, Donnelly, Newton, Oates (Adeloye 62), Cassidy.

Subs not used: Richardson, Hawkins, Rodney.

Referee: Richard Hulme

Attendance: 1,083

DOVER 0-6 FOLKESTONE

Ter Horst (6, 64)
Vincent (20)
McCann (40)
Taylor (45, 50 pen)

Dover crashed out of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup at the quarter-final stage after being hit for six by local neighbours Folkestone Invicta at Crabble on Monday night.

Johan Ter Horst, Josh Vincent, Kieron McCann and Joe Taylor were all on the scoresheet as Invicta proved too much for a Dover side featuring a number of academy players.

Chris Kinnear’s side made the worst possible start as Maidstone loanee Ter Horst rose highest to head Jordan Wright’s cross past home stopper Chris Lewington.

Ronnie Dolan’s free-kick deflected narrowly wide for the visitors, but the lead was doubled from the resultant corner.

Defender Vincent jumped above the Dover defence to nod in Heard’s sent piece and leave Athletic with a tough task ahead.

Lewington blocked Wright’s close-range effort and James Alabi’s swivel and shot was palmed away by visiting keeper Nick Shaw.

And Whites defence of the cup was all but over after Folkestone netted twice more before the break.

McCann slotted Ryan Cooper’s back-post centre and Taylor chipped in after Wright tackled Kyron Connelly and passed to the striker.

Alabi nodded over sub Jack Smith’s assist and Kane Richards volleyed wide when found in space.

But the Bostik Premier side extended their lead once more as Taylor slotted in his second from the spot after Loui Fazakerley fouled Ter Horst in the box.

Alabi was denied a consolation by the inside of the post following a surging run with Folkestone wrapping up their scoring soon after.

Ter Horst poked in his second of the match following good work by Heard out wide.

Lewington dived onto sub Sam Hasler’s low free kick, but his save was of little consequence as Folkestone comfortably progressed to the semi-finals.

Earlier, boss Kinnear changed the entire starting line-up from Saturday’s draw at Bromley.

Dover next host Hartlepool on Saturday in the league. Kick off 3pm.

Dover: Lewington, Passley (Smith 46), Bond (Spencer 46), Connelly, Adebowale, Fazakerley (c), Richards, Tiemoko, Alabi, Robinson (Cussen 76), Wratten.

Subs not used: Okosieme, Hook.

Folkestone: Shaw, Cooper, Madden, Vincent, O’Mara, Dolan, Wright, Heard (c) (Sahadow 67), Taylor (Yussuf 67), Ter Horst (Hasler 67), McCann.

Subs not used: Newman, Roberts

BROMLEY 2-2 DOVER

(Dennis 33)      (Brundle 55)
(Holland 42)     (Richards 90+1)

KANE Richards’ injury time header completed a remarkable second-half comeback for Whites at a bitterly cold Hayes Lane on Saturday.

The substitute was quickest to react to Manny Parry’s knock-down after Mitch Pinnock’s floated ball into the area caused a melee in the Bromley box.

Skipper Mitch Brundle reduced the arrears with a fine strike after a cool finish from Louis Dennis and a Jack Holland header had the hosts in control before the break.

Dover’s defence were tested early on and Connor Essam’s last-ditch tackle denied Dominic Vose a clear sight of goal.

Visiting keeper Mitch Walker was out quickly to gather ahead of the on-rushing Dennis and Kadell Daniel skewed a volley high and wide at the other end after being found by Pinnock’s cross-field pass.

David Gregory denied Brundle from the edge of the box with a fingertip save and Ilesanmi’s surging run ended with the wing back blasting Pinnock’s pass over as Dover grew into the game.

But Chris Kinnear’s men were made to pay for their missed chances as the hosts went ahead on 33 minutes.

Josh Rees found Dennis in space and the winger made no mistake, slotting in his third goal against Athletic this season.

Rees then almost capitalized on Essam’s miscontrol of a long clearance, but Walker was fast once again to smother the ball.

At the other end Daniel turned in the box, but blasted his effort past the angle of post and bar.

And Dover were punished once more thanks to Holland just before the break.

The make-shift striker rose above a static away defence to head in Frankie Raymond’s corner to the back post.

Boss Kinnear made two half-time substitutions, with debutant Ejiro Okosieme and Anthony Jeffrey introduced into the action.

And the changes paid dividend as Whites pulled a goal back on 55 minutes.

After beating his man for pace, loanee Jeffrey pulled the ball back from the byline for captain captain Brundle to control and sidefoot an unstoppable strike into the top corner – his third of the campaign.

And only Manny Parry will know how the scores were not level shortly afterwards.

The big defender could only head Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s cross wide from a yard out, much to the disbelief of both the defender and his teammates.

Holland almost had his second of the match, but his header from Dennis’ cross struck Parry, allowing Walker to dive onto the rolling ball.

Femi Ilesanmi stabbed another Gallifuoco cross wide and Essam headed Pinnock’s set piece straight at home stopper Gregory as the visitors searched for a leveller.

And a deserved equaliser duly arrived in stoppage-time courtesy of late substitute Richards.

The winger headed in his first league goal for the club from close range earn a point and also prevent a third straight defeat for his side.

Earlier, manager Kinnear made one change to the side that started against Fylde. Daniel started in place of James Alabi, who started on the bench.

The draw sees Athletic move up one place to fifth in the standings, four points off new leaders Sutton United.

Bromley: Gregory, Rees, Holland (c), Raymond, Dennis, Wynter, D.Johnson, Sterling, Wanadio (Sutherland 73), R.Johnson, Vose (Williams 61).

Subs not used: Williams, Mekki, Sutherland

Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Fazakerley (Okosieme 46), Brundle (c) Nortey (Jeffrey 46), Pinnock, Bird, Daniel (Richards 83).

Subs not used: Alabi, Okosieme.

Attendance:  1,201

Dover 0-1 AFC Fylde
(Rowe 78)

WHITES title bid was dealt a blow following a single-goal loss to AFC Fylde at Crabble on Saturday.

Danny Rowe, currently top of the National League goalscorer charts, stunned a season-high home crowd of 2,860 – in attendance for the club’s second Community Day of the season, with a goal twelve minutes from the end.

The striker fired his eleventh of the campaign past Mitch Walker after capitalising on Manny Parry’s mistake as Chris Kinnear’s men slipped to a second consecutive defeat

Whites made a bright start and Zaine Francis-Angol nipped in ahead of James Alabi with the loanee waiting to pounce on Mitch Pinnock’s cross. Ryan Bird then headed straight at visiting keeper Jay Lynch from Pinnock’s accurate cross.

Andy Bond fired an effort straight at Walker and Dover’s stopper was able to grab onto Rowe’s low drive after evading a couple of challenges in the area.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco headed Mitch Brundle’s cross directly at Lynch and the Australian defender had another chance before the break, but nodded his skipper’s back-post corner harmlessly over when well-placed.

After the break, Walker dived to block Bond’s piledriver, with the home stopper agile enough to catch Sam Finley’s rebound.

The hosts pressed for a winner, but were unable to find a way past Lynch as the goalkeeper made a succession of impressive saves.

The goalkeeper tipped away Bird’s flicked header with Gallifuoco unable to head the rebound on target.

Then, an already diving Lynch lifted a glove to keep out Pinnock’s deflected shot after a run and pass by sub Anthony Jeffrey.

And the keeper turned Brundle’s goalbound free-kick around the post with some home fans already celebrating what seemed a certain goal.

But it Rowe who had the final say on the result.

As parry tried to dribble the ball out of defence, the attacked stole the ball off the defender and slotted in the winner in spite of Dover calls for a foul.

The result sees Whites drop to fifth in the standings, two points off top.

Earlier, boss Kinnear named an unchanged line-up from Tuesday’s defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Athletic next travel to Bromley on Saturday 2nd December. Kick off 3pm.

Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Fazakerley (Deen-Conteh 82), Brundle (c), Nortey (Jeffrey 66), Ilesanmi, Alabi (Daniel 45), Bird, Pinnock.

Subs not used: Okosieme, Richards.

Fylde: Lynch, Burke, Tunnicliffe, Edmundson, Francis-Angol, Montrose, Finley (Taylor 87) (c), Bond, Mangan, Rowe (Blinkhorn 84), Tasdemir (Smith 60).

Subs not used: Jones, Grand.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 1-0 DOVER

(Ferrier 23)

WHITES 10-match unbeaten league run came to an end following a narrow defeat at a rainy Victoria Road on Tuesday evening.

A first-half header from Morgan Ferrier and some stunning saves from home keeper Mark Cousins saw Dover relinquish their grip on top spot in the National League standings as Chris Kinnear’s men slipped into second place, two points behind new leaders Wrexham.

The Daggers almost took an early lead when Sam Ling snuck in at the far post to nod Corey Whitely’s zipped corner into the side netting.

Visitors Dover should have gone ahead two minutes later, but Cousin flung himself across his goalmouth to tip away James Alabi’s header after Mitch Brundle’s mishit volley fell kindly for the loanee.

The striker then blasted narrowly over following a powerful surge into the area.

Cousin’s opposite number Mitch Walker then performed his own acrobatics, stretching to divert John Robson’s dipping header from the edge of the box from underneath the crossbar.

But there was nothing Athletic’s stopper could do about the home side’s opener midway through the first half.

The impressive Ling latched onto Cousin’s inch-perfect throw and sent in a delicious ball for Ferrier to head home from close range.

Ling then blasted over from an acute angle and the winger forced Walker into a low save with a drilled effort from the edge of the box.

Dagenham’s keeper denied Alabi once again in first half stoppage time. The attacker powered Mitch Pinnock’s pinpoint cross towards goal, only for Cousins to somehow claw the ball away to safety.

And the 30-year old goalie made his best save just after the break to prevent what seemed a certain equaliser for Whites.

Having beaten Jake Howells out wide, Pinnock’s goalward volley appeared destined for the top corner. But Cousins clearly had other ideas and was somehow able turn the winger’s shot behind for a corner.

Walker then ensured his side stayed in the game, blocking Ferrier’s angled effort with Michael Cheek firing over the rebound.

And Cousins thwarted the visitors once again, smothering the ball before Pinnock could latch onto Nortei Nortey’s through ball.

Whitely’s strike from near the byline clipped the bar and the winger then forced Walker into a fingertip save with a curling effort.

And John Still’s team should have doubled their lead in injury time, but sub Dan Sparkes blasted past the post when put in the clear by Whitely.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made one change to the side that started away at Leyton Orient. Loui Fazakerley replaced the injured Josh Passley.

Athletic next face AFC Fylde at Crabble on Saturday 25th November at Crabble. Kick off 3pm.

Dagenham and Redbridge: Cousins, Doe (c), Robson, Howell, Ferrier (Sparkes 88), Boucaud, Lokko, Ling, Cheek (Bloomfield 67), Whitely, Howells.

Subs not used: Moore, Adams, White.

Dover: Walker, Fazakerley, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Ilesanmi, Brundle, Nortey (Daniel 72), Pinnock, Bird, Alabi (Jeffrey 65).

Subs not used: Deen-Conteh, Richards, Okosieme.

Referee: David Rock

Attendance: 1,262

LEYTON ORIENT 1-1 DOVER

(Clay 78) (Nortey 23)

Mitch Walker’s spectacular late save preserved a hard-earned point for Whites at a rain-swept Brisbane Road on Saturday.

Athletic’s keeper blocked Macaulay Bonne’s point-black header from six yards with his legs as Chris Kinnear’s men extended their unbeaten league run to 10 matches.

Nortei Nortey had curled the visitors ahead in the first half, but a deflected effort from Craig Clay 12 minutes from time had the O’s level.

The away side almost made the perfect start for when James Alabi bore down on goal following a mistake by Joe Widdowson, but home keeper Sam Sargeant, a late addition to the starting line-up after Orient’s first choice stopper Charlie Grainger injured himself in the warmup, denied the striker with his feet.

Bonne then nodded Alex Lawless’ corner narrowly over and at the other end both Alabi and Ryan Bird were close to connecting to Femi Ilesanmi’s dangerous ball across the box.

Mitch Pinnock’s 30-yard free-kick dipped just wide of Sargeant’s goal and Clay blasted just wide in a breathless first quarter of an hour.

Former Premier League star Jobi McAnuff drilled just past the post and Alabi volleyed just over from a tight angle.

But Chris Kinnear’s men were not to be kept out for long and Nortey collected Alabi’s pass and fired past a diving Sargeant much to the delight of the 537 travelling fans.

McAnuff and Swindon loanee James Brophy struck efforts wide for Orient and Mitch Pinnock flicked Josh Passley’s pinpoint cross narrowly over.

Passley was then replaced by Loui Fazakerley five minutes before the break after an unfortunate collision with an advertising board following a 50-50 challenge.

And in first-half stoppage time Walker dived low to push Brophy’s shot from outside the box to his right.

Dover’s keeper then tipped away Bonne’s header from a corner, but a goalmouth scramble ensued with Zimbabwe international Bonne poking an effort towards goal with Connor Essam clearing off the line.

But Leyton Orient’s pressure finally paid off as Clay run onto Brophy’s pass and found the net from inside the box via a deflection in spite of Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s best efforts to keep the ball out.

And the home team, with caretaker boss Russ Embleton in charge following the dismissal of Steve Davis as manager earlier in the week, almost snatched a late winner as Bonne leapt highest to meet James Dayton’s ball into the box, only to be denied by Walker.

McAnuff fired a free-kick narrowly over in injury time as Dover kept their place at the top of the table, one point clear of Wrexham in second spot.

Earlier, Kinnear kept with the same side that beat Eastleigh last week. Anthony Jeffrey, signed on loan from Sutton, started as a substitute.

Whites next travel to Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday 21st November.  Kick off 7:45pm.

Leyton Orient: Sargeant, Caprice, Widdowson, Lawless (Harrold 65), Sendles-White, McAnuff (c), Bonne, Clay, Happe, Brophy, Dayton.

Subs not used: Mooney, Ellis, Westbrooke.

Dover: Walker, Passley (Fazakerley 44), Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Brundle (c), Pinnock, Bird (Daniel 76), Nortey, Alabi.

Subs not used: Richards, Okosieme, Jeffrey.

DOVER 2 EASTLEIGH 0

(Alabi 31, Essam 57)

Dover maintained their one point lead at the summit of the National League table with victory against Eastleigh at Crabble on Saturday.

James Alabi and Connor Essam both grabbed their first goals of the season as Chris Kinnear’s men extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches.

Dover started strongly with Nortei Nortey drilling a 20-yard effort into the arms of visiting keeper Ross Flitney.

And the home side appeared refreshed following a two-week break with Alabi and skipper Mitch Brundle narrowly off target with shots from range.

Mitch Walker received a fright when Mark Yeates’ free kick took a deflection, but the ball landed straight into the arms of the home keeper.

But normal service was resumed on the half hour mark as Alabi grabbed his first goal in a Dover shirt.

The striker, on-loan from Tranmere, nodded in Mitch Pinnock’s long throw at the second attempt to put the leaders ahead.

Josh Passley then almost notched his first strike for Whites seconds later, but his curling effort fizzed agonisingly wide.

Some neat intricate play ended with captain Brundle volleying Femi Ilesanmi’s cross just wide as Athletic continued to pepper Flitney’s goal with shots.

Ilesanmi was indebted to Walker after Dover’s stopper denied Ben Williamson in the box after the Nigerian defender passed the ball straight to the attacker.

Flitney saved well top scorer Ryan Bird a 10th of the season, getting down quickly to palm the forward’s low drive away for a corner.

And following the restart, the visiting keeper had to be at his best deny Alabi.

The striker collected Pinnock’s throw, turned smartly and fired goalwards, but his strike was well blocked by Flitney.

But there was nothing Flitney could do about Dover’s second on 57 minutes. After Bravely blocking Essam’s header from a Brundle corner, he could only watch the sweeper slam home his first of the campaign from the rebound.

Alabi fired over after a lung busting run and cross from Nortey and Ilesanmi’s drive from sub Kadell Daniel’s lay-off flashed wide of the mark.

Dover’s claims for a handball in the area against Callum Howe were waived away by the referee after a shot from Nortey appeared to bounce off the Lincoln loanee.

And Walker spectacularly tipped away Howe’s injury time blast from the edge of the box.

Earlier, Kinnear made one change to the side that drew at Gateshead, with Ilesanmi returning to the starting line-up following suspension, replacing Loui Fazakerley who was a substitute.

Dover next travel to Brisbane Road to face Leyton Orient on Saturday 18th November.

Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Passley, Brundle (c), Nortey, Ilesanmi, Alabi (Daniel 71), Bird, Pinnock.

Subs not used: Richards, Fazakerley, Okosieme, Deen-Conteh.

Eastleigh: Flitney, Hoyte, Howe (c), Boyce, Shaw, McSheffrey (Strevens 62), Hollands (Matthews 62), Miley, Yeates, Constable (McAllister 65), Williamson.

Subs not used: Zebroski, Read.