DOVER 1-2 ALDERSHOT
(Parry 45) (Kellerman 45)
(Kabamba 67)
TWO defensive errors saw Whites lose for the first time in six league matches as they were beaten 2-1 by promotion rivals Aldershot at a wet Crabble on Saturday.
Jim Kellerman capitalised on home keeper Mitch Walker’s error to give the visitors the lead and though Manny Parry restored parity seconds later with his head, the Shots won the game after a mix-up at the back between Parry and Walker saw debutant Nicke Kabamba claim the three points.
Giancarlo Gallifuoco had the first shot of the match, but his effort lacked the power needed to beat visiting keeper Lewis Ward after sprinting onto Ryan Bird’s lay-off.
And fellow centre-back Parry will feel he should have done better as he headed Femi Ilesanmi’s deep cross straight at Ward when unmarked.
Seconds later Nortei Nortey, following a flowing move on the right wing, fizzed a ball into the box which evaded all of his teammates.
Whites top scorer Bird went close to adding to his 12 goals this season. The striker firstly saw a shot blocked by the visiting defence following Mitch Pinnock’s corner and then headed over when well-placed at a long throw-in.
The away team almost had the lead five minutes before the break. Bernard Mensah’s perfectly weighted pass set Shamir Fenelon through on goal, only for the winger to stab wide with the onrushing Mitch Walker coming out to meet him.
And it was a rare calamity from Walker that gave the Hampshire side the lead on the stroke on half-time.
Dover’s number one confidently claimed Cheye Alexander’s free-kick, but collided with Parry as he fell backwards, dropping the ball for Kellerman to slot the ball into an empty net.
However the keeper’s blushes were spared by Parry’s leveller seconds later.
The centre-back headed Pinnock’s set-piece into the bottom corner of the net, out of reach of Ward’s despairing dive.
Shortly after the restart, Ward tipped over Gallifuoco’s headed effort from Brundle’s corner and with the rain teeming down, The Shots goalie caught Pinnock’s 25-yard free-kick at the first attempt.
Dover pressed forward to end their current run of four consecutive draws and Bird went close just after the hour mark, flicking Josh Passley’s ball into the box agonisingly wide.
But Chris Kinnear’s men were unable to get a much-needed win as debutant Nicke Kabamba grabbed a winner after coming off the bench with just over 20 minutes remaining.
A ball into the area from sub Bobby-Joe Taylor was grabbed by Walker, but an accidental kick in the head from Parry meant White’s keeper was unable to keep hold of the ball, allowing the Portsmouth loanee to round the goalie and chip the ball home.
A sweeping home move saw Brundle flick the ball for Bird to pull the trigger, however George Fowler recovered well to tackle the forward.
With time running, Gallifouco lashed Pinnock’s driven pass wide and the visitors almost sealed the win late on with a lightning counter-attack.
Kellerman slid in Mensah and though the midfielder appeared to have tucked the ball home, Nortey was on hand to acrobatically clear the ball off the line.
Athletic were unable to find an equaliser and the loss sees them drop one place in the table to fifth.
Earlier, Kinnear made one change to the side that started away at Maidstone. Kane Richards replaced Kadell Daniel, who started as a substitute.
Whites next host Marine in the FA Trophy on Saturday 13th January. Kick off 3pm.
Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Passley, Brundle (c), Nortey (Bellamy 87), Ilesanmi, Richards (Daniel 64), Bird (Alabi 76), Pinnock.
Subs not used: Dean-Conteh, Fazakerley.
Aldershot: Ward, Alexander, Evans, Fowler, Kinsella (McClure 80), Gallagher, Oyeleke, Fenelon (Joe-Taylor 45), Kellerman, Mensah, Rendell (c), (Kabamba 60)
Referee: Joseph Johnson
Attendance: 1,237