Dover suffered their first away defeat of 2012 in their final game of the year, a 2-1 derby defeat at 10-man Tonbridge Angels on Boxing Day.

Looking to go top of Blue Square Bet South, Dover fell 2-0 behind and, although Ben May, pictured, pulled one back four minutes from time to set up a frantic finale, Whites suffered their first away league reverse since a 1-0 loss at Dartford on December 3, 2011 - a run of 21 games.

Angels ended a run of three straight defeats after taking the lead against the run of play on 21 minutes through Sonny Miles. Miles lashed home a rebound amid a goalmouth scramble from a Rory Hill corner.

Keeper Lee Worgan was the star for Angels, denying Ricky Modeste early on and May soon after the opening goal, while ex-Dover man Ollie Schulz headed over and former Whites Frannie Collin and Mark Lovell also went close to adding to the Angels tally.

Another former Dover man, George Purcell, quietened the visiting fans with a second on 65 minutes, latching on to Lovell's flick and prodding past Whites keeper Lee Hook.

Chris Sessegnon denied Tonbridge a third, blocking Lee Browning's drive, before the hosts were reduced to 10 on 76 minutes when Henry Muggeridge saw red after picking up cautions for handball and time wasting.

Sub Calum Willock had already seen a goal ruled out for offside when May's 12th goal of the season gave Whites hope, rifling home the loose ball after Worgan blocked a Dean Rance drive, but soon after Worgan made amends with a fine diving save to deny Willock a dramatic equaliser.

The two teams meet in the rematch at Crabble on New Year's Day, though Tonbridge - who rose six places to 12th - will first host Bromley on Saturday.