Manager Martin Hayes is at a loss to explain the mystifying difference between Dover’s results at home and their form on the road.

Dover boosted their promotion hopes with a 2-0 win at rivals Bromley on Tuesday night – bouncing back from Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Ebbsfleet.

The win was Dover’s ninth in 11 Blue Square Bet South games on the road this season. In contrast they have won just three of their 12 games at Crabble.

Hayes (pictured) joked that the club had discussed asking players to meet at Maidstone and travel to Dover by coach like an away game, but added: "I honestly can’t explain it."

"I don’t think the FA Cup run did us any favours. Players want to come to us, play in front of a big crowd and try to beat the team who has had all the glory.

"I’m sure it’s not intentional, but maybe our players give the opposition more respect when we’re away.

"We have not been great at home this year, but we have proved on a couple of occasions, against Aldershot, and also against Farnborough, that we can blow teams away at Crabble.

"We have not given our fans much to cheer about this year, but I’m sure we’ll get it right."

Whites return to the road to visit Basingstoke on Saturday lying in seventh, two points outside the play-off places, but with games in hand on some of the sides above them