One goal was enough for Whites as they started pre-season with a win at Hythe Town.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler used this game to find out more about trialists, with nine starting the game and more coming on in the second half.

Dover had most of the early attacks and could’ve been 1-0 up inside the first 10 minutes after good link up play between two trialists allowed one of them to get around the keeper.

However, he ran out of room in the box and although he was able to get the ball into the danger area, it was easily cleared away by the Hythe defence.

Whites were almost made to pay for a defensive calamity shortly after when a defensive trialist only found the Hythe attacker with a misplaced pass before captain Yusuf Mersin made the save.

Dover took the lead on the half hour mark through one of the trialists after he ran through on goal and kept his composure to slot home.

Dover went in search of a second and had a chance five minutes later after Mersin’s long ball found the furthest forward trialist, but he was taken down as he ran through on goal with the resulting free-kick going well over the bar.

Hythe almost levelled before half time but Mersin did well to stay alert as a corner was headed straight at him.

The second half started slowly, with the first clear cut chance not coming until close to the hour mark as Hythe almost levelled once again.

After some smart play between the Hythe forward put his effort into the side netting.

Dover had a shot  well saved by the Hythe goalkeeper, before new Dover signing Louis Collins turned well and shot just over the bar.

Another new arrival, TJ Bramble came on for his debut late in the game, playing a right-back.