Alfie Pavey’s goal twenty minutes from time saw Whites get their 2019 pre-season off to a winning start on Wednesday night.

The striker slotted in from close range after Andy Hessenthaler’s men were twice pegged back by their Southern Counties East Football League Hosts.

Athletic had twice led through headers from Steven Rigg and a triallist.

Following a strong start, Dover opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark thanks to summer signing Rigg’s looping header, though the away side were soon grateful to another Whites’ debutant at the other end of the pitch.

Goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin somehow tipped over a top-corner bound effort and then prevented an equaliser, blocking a low drive with his legs.

Jack Munns fired off target just before the break and a much changed Dover side went even closer within seconds of the restart as substitute Oscar Gobern blasted narrowly wide of the mark.

Whites were made to pay for their missed chances and the home side was level thanks to a well-worked headed goal which left Mersin rooted to the spot.

It wasn’t long before Dover were ahead thanks to clever play from another new face.

Frenchman Nassim N’Ghoul, signed at the start of the week, whipped in a pinpoint cross for one of the triallists to head into the top corner.

A cooly converted penalty levelled matters for the hosts, however, L’Ghoul almost fired Whites ahead from distance, forcing the home keeper to tip the ball around the post.

Pavey put the National League team ahead once more and almost grabbed a second, seeing his header from L’Ghoul’s accurate cross well saved.

Hessenthaler’s side next travel to Folkestone Invicta on Saturday 7th July, kick off 3 pm.

Whites starting XI:

First half:  Mersin, Rooney, Bedford, Rigg, Allen, Munns, Cumberbatch and four triallists.

Second half:  Mersin, De Havilland, Pavey, L’Ghoul, Woods, Gobern and five triallists.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION