by Kevin Redsull

Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler launched a blistering attack on his players on Saturday night – even though their 5-3 win over Weston-super-Mare had just taken Whites to the top of Blue Square South.

Hessenthaler was furious that his side had made such hard work of beating an injury-hit Weston side who have only got one point from five matches, saying: "I know we won the game but that was probably our worst performance since I’ve been at the club."

Flattered by their 4-1 half-time lead, Whites always looked vulnerable at the back and they were rocking when Weston pulled back two goals early in the second half before Shaun Welford’s strike gave them some breathing space.

"Fortunately we played against a team with a couple of injuries, but we gifted them three goals," Hessenthaler added.

"There was no desire and it hurts me to have to say that, because desire is the one thing I demand above all else from my players.

"But it wasn’t there and some of my players need to grow up a bit.

"If they want to succeed at this level, they are going to have to perform a lot better than that. They are under pressure now for their places because I have got some good players waiting to come back after injury."

The Whites manager must decide where to make changes for Saturday’s trip to Eastleigh. He will have more options available if defender Jake Leberl (calf), midfielder Jon Wallis (thigh) and striker Adam Birchall (ankle) have all recovered from injuries which kept them out against Weston.

Then, on Monday, Dover are at home to Welling in an eagerly-anticipated Kent derby Bank Holiday clash which should draw a big crowd to Crabble (3pm).