Manager Jake Leberl concedes Dover’s relegation from National League South appears inevitable.

With only seven more league matches to play after their goalless draw at home against second-bottom Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday, they are a massive 17 points from safety.

Dover could have their fate sealed if they fail to win at home to Farnborough next weekend but, even if they are victorious, it would probably merely be delaying matters.

Leberl, who replaced Mitch Brundle at the helm at the Crabble club in December, said: “I haven’t really thought about it.

“But it does look like it’s inevitable which, obviously, is really disappointing. That wasn’t the plan when we came in.

“We were hoping to get a bit of momentum and pick up more points than we have. But that hasn’t happened.

“It’s not for a lack of trying to get people in - the chairman (Jim Parmenter) has been as good as gold - but they’re just not about at this stage in the season.

Report: Dover 0-0 Havant & Waterlooville

“If they are, they have chosen to go to other clubs for obvious reasons.”

The club are a long way away from where they were when Leberl left in the 2018/19 season alongside then-boss Chris Kinnear, with Dover competing for promotion to the Football League at that time.

“It’s really disappointing from where we left it,” noted Leberl, with Whites set for a second relegation in three campaigns.

“Obviously, we struggled in the season that I left but, prior to that, (we had done well). It’s disappointing.”

Dover looked the more likely to win against Havant & Waterlooville and maybe should have done so after away defender Devante Stanley was dismissed for a second booking on 75 minutes.

“It’s definitely two points dropped in the game with the chances that we created,” reflected Leberl, whose troops were pegged back in a 1-1 draw at third-bottom Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday as striker George Nikaj netted.

“We have got to score today at some point - and we didn’t - so we have picked up a point, rather than three.”

Full-back Roman Charles-Cook, George Wilkinson and fellow teenage Dover midfielder Freddie Oliver failed to convert their best chances in front of a crowd of 552 at Crabble while a free-kick after Stanley had been sent off by referee Tom Ellsmore crashed against the crossbar.

Asked if decision-making in the final third had been an issue, Leberl replied: “Definitely today, yeah - and a lack of confidence. The boys have had a lack of goals all season.

“We haven’t really got anyone who has that real desire to be the match winner and score the goals.

“We’re not the only club, obviously - but we’re definitely lacking in that department, whether it’s personnel, belief or confidence. Or a bit of everything.”

But Whites did look assured at the back, Reading loanee keeper Matthew Rowley being supported by a back four which included fit-again John Oyenuga.

Leberl said: “For a while now, we have been stopping teams from having lots of chances against us.

“Obviously, we had John back and that made a big difference. He’s a very strong defender.

“We looked solid and they have got some good forwards. Although they have struggled as a team this season, they have got good players and I felt we dealt with them very well.

“I think Matt only really had one save to make in the whole game.”

There was also a Dover debut against Havant & Waterlooville for Kamon-Sherrell Assidjo, the winger making a cameo substitute appearance.

Leberl said: “He’s been in and around in training, and has shown something that made us want to give him a chance.

“He adds a little bit of energy and a little bit of wing play to, hopefully, create some chances for us.”

Teenage attacker Archie Hatcher has joined promotion-chasing Southern Counties East Premier Division side Faversham, albeit he was only an unused substitute in their 3-2 weekend win at play-off rivals Erith Town.