Dover were unable to extend the winning start to their National League campaign after losing 2-1 to Bromley at Crabble on Tuesday evening.
Joshua Rees slotted Bromley in front midway through the first half and a quick breakaway strike from Louis Dennis extended the visitor’s lead after the break.
An own goal from David Gregory gave Whites hope after substitute Kadell Daniel’s (Pictured) free-kick struck the underside of the bar and went in off the keeper, but Athletic were unable to find an equaliser.
Both teams fired early warning efforts at goal, but neither Dennis or Jamie Allen were able to trouble their opposition keepers.
Ryan Bird then went close for the home side, heading agonisingly wide from Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s cross-cum-shot.
The big striker then turned provider for Allen to try again from outside the box, but the striker blazed over.
A driving run and pass from Brett Williams sent Rees clear, but he fired his effort wide for the away side when well placed.
But the midfielder did hit the target on 34 minutes to give Bromley the lead.
Dennis outpaced Gallifuoco out wide and cut back for the onrushing Rees to slot past Mitch Walker.
Dover’s stopper did prevent the away side from doubling their lead prior to the break, blocking William’s drive after neat interplay had left the forward one-on-one.
At the other end, Kane Richards’ opted to head Allen’s cross back across goal instead of at an open target and Gregory pushed Brundle’s thirty-yard free kick into Manny Parry’s path minutes later, but the visiting goalie was up quickly to deny the centre back.
The Raven’s keeper then had to be at his agile best to deny Allen’s drive and Richards’ point blank shot as Whites applied the pressure.
But the game was decided by two moments on 71 minutes.
Connor Essam’s header was cleared off the line and a lighting counter attack up the other end saw Dennis slip the ball past Walker following good work from substitute Iffy Allen.
Dover cut the lead in half four minutes later after Daniel’s free kick bounced down off the bar and in off the unfortunate Gregory.
And Daniel, introduced to the action for the final 20 minutes, forced the visiting stopper into a flying save from a tight angle.
With time running out, Bird volleyed sub Mitch Pinnock’s cross past the top corner and Jamie Allen went for glory with seconds to spare, but fired wide leaving Bromley to take maximum points.
Earlier, manager Chris Kinnear named the same team that started at Hartlepool. Chris Barnard replaced George Essuman on the bench.
The result sees Whites drop five places to tenth, three points behind leaders Aldershot.
Next up for Whites is a home match against Wrexham on Saturday at 3pm.
Dover: Walker, Passley, Essam, Parry(Sho-Silva 77), Gallifuoco, Ilesamni, Richards (Daniel 73), Brundle(c)(Pinnock 82), Allen, Bird, Nortey.
Subs not used: Adebowale, Barnard.
Bromley: Gregory, Rees, Sutherland, Chorley, Holland(c), Williams, Dennis (Dunne 85), Mekki (Porter 65), Sterling, Wanadio (Allen 62), Wynter.
Subs not used: Johnson, Higgs.
Booked: Essam, Bird, Pinnock (Dover) Chorley, Williams (Bromley)
Attendance: 1145
Officials:
Referee: Christopher O’Donnell
Assistants: Mike Desborough, Gareth Viccars.
Fourth official: Isaac Searle.