Dover Athletic lost their first home game of the season after a 3-2 defeat to Basingstoke Town at Perry’s Crabble on Tuesday night.

The Whites failed to overhaul Newport County at the top of Blue Square South after some ‘schoolboy defending,’ according to boss Andy Hessenthaler.

They were 2-0 down inside 19 minutes but were given hope when Shaun Welford pulled a goal back five minutes before half-time.

The visitors made the game safe 13 minutes from time, despite Dover pulling back a goal through an injury-time penalty from Jon Wallis.

It was Athletic’s first defeat in nine at home this season and only their second league defeat at Crabble since April 2008.