Dover Athletic came back down to earth with a thud as they slipped to their third home Blue Square Bet South defeat of the season against Kent rivals Dartford in front of nearly 1,200 at Crabble on Tuesday night.

The euphoria of the FA Cup win at Gillingham was quickly replaced by disappointment and frustration, with man-of-the moment Adam Birchall (pictured) having an off-night missing three or four good chances, and seeing his early second-half spot-kick saved as his record-breaking 10-game scoring streak came to an end.

Dover were on the back foot after trailing to Ryan Hayes' 12th minute opener, his corner going straight in, and then had strong claims for a penalty themselves turned down 14 minutes later when Harry Baker went down the box.

Their luck was out again nine minutes after the break, referee Phil Knight pointing to the spot after Birchall was brought down, only for Dartford goalkeeper Andrew Young to save the in-form striker’s effort.

Birchall saw another effort blocked, and put another wide, before substitute Sam Long drilled a long range effort over the bar two minutes from time.