Jake Leberl has issued another rallying cry to Dover’s fans - saying the club simply cannot be successful without them.

Whites responded from defeat the previous weekend as they beat Isthmian Premier rivals Cheshunt 3-0 at home in the FA Trophy third qualifying round on Saturday.

But a crowd of just 436 were at Crabble for the Trophy tie.

“If I'm honest, I’m disappointed,” said boss Leberl - who had already delivered a similar message in August following two relegations in three years - of their weekend attendance.

“I understand that, financially, it’s difficult and that we had lost the last home game.

“It’s difficult, isn’t it? It’s a bit of a Catch 22.

“But we’re trying to build the club up again and we have got a young squad. We cannot do it without them.

Whites defender makes team-of-the-week

“If they don’t show up, we won’t be able to do it.

“I must say that the ones that have been there have been superb. But we have just gone from nearly 2,500 against Folkestone to more than 1,000 against Dartford to 436 on Saturday.

“You don’t get cup games on a season ticket so maybe that had something to do with it.

“The club has been on such a downward spiral and we have - finally - got a team that’s on the up but they’re going to need support.

“Money is tight for everyone, isn’t it? I do understand.

"But I was hoping for a bigger attendance than that.”

Forward Ruben Soares-Junior and midfielder Luke Baptiste added to a Remi Sutton own goal for Leberl’s team in the second period before the visitors had defender Raul Da Silva dismissed on 72 minutes.

Leberl reflected: “We had to work hard for it but we definitely came on stronger as the game went on. We were very dominant later on in the game.

“We got all the substitutes on, which was pleasing, as well.”

The win was also Whites’ first clean sheet since their opening-day 8-0 thumping at Potters Bar.

Leberl admitted: “That’s not sat right with me.

“I’ve felt that we have been too open at times but it’s difficult. I don’t want us to be a side that doesn’t really look to attack, either.

“Against Dartford (in a 5-1 derby victory), I was really disappointed with the one that we let in.

“We have conceded a few but, generally, we haven’t let in many soft goals, which is pleasing.”

Defender Fuad Sesay, 21, helped Whites keep the shut-out while he was also involved in the opening goal.

“I said to the group that I don’t normally single out individuals but I thought he was outstanding,” said Leberl.

“Going into the season, it was a major concern to not have a really recognised left-back.

“But Sesay has stepped up. It has worked out well for him - and us.”

Midfielder Kieran Monlouis - a player Leberl has been a fan of, dating back to his time as being Chris Kinnear’s No.2 at Crabble - and ex-Tonbridge forward Francis Mampolo came off the substitutes’ bench to make their Dover debuts against Cheshunt.

Leberl said: “Kieran has been about for a long time.

“Mike (Sandmann, Whites’ assistant) worked with him at Margate. Myself and Chris tried to sign him previously. I cannot remember where from but he turned us down!

“He missed the whole of last season because he had an operation after winning National League South with Ebbsfleet, but, hopefully, he can be part of our plans.

“Mampolo gives us a bit more direct running and can play anywhere across the frontline.

“He did well at Tonbridge and Jay (Saunders, Angels’ boss) was a little bit disappointed that he didn’t stay.

“Hopefully, we can get him up and running.”

The focus switches back to league matters for Whites, who are due to host Bognor Regis tonight and visit Whitehawk on Saturday.

It’s a game at The Enclosed Ground that will see goalkeeper Mitch Walker and defenders Joe Tennent and Luca Cocoracchio return to the ground they played at last term.

“We need to get back to it,” admitted Leberl.

“In hindsight, that week off (following their derby with Dartford) killed us a little bit. We definitely felt a change in the atmosphere and environment.

“But we got back to it in the second half on Saturday.

“We definitely need to put in strong performances and go back to the levels that we were at previously.”

Dover have been drawn at home to Isthmian South East side Sittingbourne in the FA Trophy first round on October 26.

Leberl’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Ryan Maxwell’s men, going down 1-0 at Crabble in a replay after a 2-2 draw at Woodstock.

Deal, who had a free weekend, are at fellow-promoted Isthmian South East side Erith Town on Saturday, having been due to be at home against Sittingbourne tonight.