Dover Athletic may be going through their worst spell since Andy Hessenthaler took over as manager two-and-a-half years ago but the Whites boss insisted there was no need to worry.

Last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Blue Square South leaders Newport County was Dover’s fourth reverse in their last five matches and enabled County to open up a five-point gap at the top.

But Hessenthaler (pictured) felt he saw enough good things from his side, following on from their 3-1 success at Dorchester the previous weekend, to suggest that their bid for a third successive promotion is alive and well.

He said: "I could not have asked any more from the players in those two games and over the 90 minutes I thought we were the better side against Newport.

"They showed why they are top of the table. They are well-organised defensively with a natural goalscorer up front in Craig Reid (who scored both County goals) but we had plenty of chances to have won the game."

However, he added: "I have looked at the video and defensively I wasn’t happy with either of their goals.

"But you have got to give the boy credit for the way he took them and that’s the difference – last season when we made similiar mistakes we got away with them but this season we seem to be punished for every mistake we make.

"Having said all that, we are still second in the table, which can’t be bad at this stage and feel we are ready to push on again now."

Whites’ first chance to start another run going comes at struggling Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.

Hessenthaler believes injuries have contributed to his side’s recent lean form and the picture doesn’t look much better this weekend. Jerahl Hughes is doubtful with an ankle injury and Jon Wallis (hamstring) is a week away.

Sammy Moore should have shaken off the flu bug while Olly Schulz will be hoping to prove in training this week that he recovered from his hip injury.