Dover will be looking to put their recent Bank Holiday loss at Ebbsfleet behind them as they aim to move back into the play-offs with a fourth consecutive home league win on Saturday afternoon.

But they face a stern test against a Gulls side currently defying their lowly league position, winning three and drawing one from their last four league matches to boost their survival bid.

And Chris Kinnear’s men will be wary of an opposing striker who effectively ended Athletic’s play-off bid last April.

Striker Brett Williams scored twice in a 2-1 victory for United at Crabble, adding to the two goals he scored in consecutive matches for Forest Green at Dover the previous season.

TORQUAY’S RECENT FORM

02/04/18:  TORQUAY 2-1 WOKING

Torquay strengthened their bid to avoid the drop with a vital victory over their fellow strugglers Woking.

Joey Jones’ early handball in the box handed Brett Williams a golden opportunity to score and the Gulls striker made no mistake from 12 yards.

Reece Grego-Cox levelled matters midway through the second half, but parity only lasted three minutes thanks to Connor Lemonheigh-Evans 25-yard strike into the top corner.

And Gary Owers’ men had to hang on in the final stages, clearing the ball off their goal line on two occasions.

PREVIOUS MEETING

07/10/17:  TORQUAY 0-2 DOVER

A headed goal in each half from Paul Lewis and Ryan Bird saw Dover run out comfortable winners at bottom-of-the table Torquay at a windy Plainmoor on Saturday.

Cambridge loanee Lewis nodded in Mitch Pinnock’s cross after six minutes to give Chris Kinnear’s men an early lead and Bird powered in Jamie Allen’s assist off both the bar and home goalkeeper Vincent Dorel to double the advantage in the 64th minute as Athletic extended their unbeaten league run to five games.

After the visitors had gone in front, Pinnock headed Passley’s cross harmlessly over and was then denied by the woodwork minutes later.

The wideman struck the underside of the crossbar with a fierce volley after latching onto Femi Ilesanmi’s lobbed pass.

Lewis thought he had doubled the lead after flicking in Bird’s shot, but the linesman chalked off his effort for offside and the midfielder was booked for protesting.

Ryan Higgins fired well wide from 20-yards and at the other end Bird nodded Allen’s cross just wide just before the break.

Luke Young drove a free-kick into Mitch Walker’s arms a minute before Bird struck Dover’s second.

The points were almost secured when Giancarlo Gallifuoco struck the post against his old side from sub Kadell Daniel’s corner.

Daniel then tried his luck with an audacious volley that flew into the arms of Gulls stopper Dorel.

Jamie Reid’s blast into the side netting summed up a disappointing day in front of goal for United.

OTHER MEETINGS

22/04/17: Dover 1-2 Torquay
27/08/16: Torquay 2-1 Dover
26/03/16: Dover 5-0 Torquay

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults: £17
Over 60s: £14
Under 18s: £8
Under 11s: Free (With an accompanying adult)

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES (Kick off 3pm unless stated)

EBBSFLEET UNITED V MACCLESFIELD TOWN (12:15)
AFC FYLDE V SUTTON UNITED
ALDERSHOT TOWN V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
BROMLEY V GATESHEAD
CHESTER V TRANMERE ROVERS
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V WOKING
EASTLEIGH V WREXHAM
FC HALIFAX TOWN V BOREHAM WOOD
GUISELEY V MAIDSTONE UNITED
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V SOLIHULL MOORS
LEYTON ORIENT V BARROW

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach travelling to Maidenhead on Saturday 14th April and it is not too late to book your space on it.

It leaves Crabble at 11:15am and the costs are as follows:

Adult members £20, adult non-members £35 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10.

There is also a coach going to Woking at 9:15am on Saturday 28th April and the prices are:

Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the game against Torquay.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.