Nicky Southall's injury time goal earned Dover maximum points against Thurrock in Blue Square South at Crabble on Saturday.

It seemed the home side were going to be forced to settle for a point until Southall curled a shot into the net via the post.

Thurrock had gone into the game eyeing second place, but victory for Dover keeps them tucked in behind leaders Newport County.

Dover’s best chance of the first half came four minutes before the break when Frannie Collin found Adam Birchall and he crossed for Southall at the near post only for him to head the ball just wide.

Whites almost fell behind early in the second half when John Whitehouse was unable to hold a shot and the ball ended up with Matt Judge at the far post but he blazed it over from only a yard out.

Dover started to control the game more and just after the hour mark when Shaun Welford headed the ball to Southall who seemed set to score before the ball was hooked away by an opposing defender.

But Southall’s late strike was no less than Dover deserved and sent the Whites faithful home happy.