Andy Hessenthaler watched Dover ease past Braintree on Saturday in National League South - before admitting he felt they had played better in their previous two matches!

Striker Chike Kandi struck before substitute Luke Baptiste and frontman Alfie Pavey extended Whites’ lead after the break and, despite away defender Baris Altintop pulling one back at Crabble, Dover held on for a 3-1 victory.

The win means Hessenthaler’s men are now three matches unbeaten - their longest unbeaten run since before the Covid pandemic - having returned to action after an 11-day break following a 1-1 draw at Welling last Tuesday and a 2-0 success at Weymouth.

Dover boss Hessenthaler reflected: “We’ve just kept that little bit of momentum going after the last two results. Obviously we’ve been off for a while with no game last Saturday, so that was a little bit of a worry, but I think the boys today were good.

“They probably weren’t as good as they were in the last two games, though, I’ve got to say - I said that to them in there [the changing room].

“I think we played better in the last two games but it was one of those games today where we identified, getting the ball forward a little bit quicker to our two centre-forwards could cause them problems.

“I thought we did that all afternoon.”

• Report: Dover 3-1 Braintree

Kandi scored his second goal in as many games to put Whites in front. Pavey flicked a long ball out of defence onto strike partner Kandi and, despite being tugged down inside the penalty area by a Braintree defender, he kept his nerve and found the net.

“He can play wide but obviously, as you’ve seen, we played him down the middle,” said Hessenthaler.

“We worked on it in the week and I said he’s got to get closer to Alfie. Alfie caused problems with his aerial ability and Chike did well today.

“The closer he is to Alfie, the more of a threat he’s going to be. That’s how the goal came about.”

Dover doubled their advantage through a substitute on 56 minutes. Wideman Luke Wanadio crossed from the right and Baptiste’s first effort hit the bar, only for the ball to virtually sit on the line. That left the teenage midfielder with the simple task of bundling home.

Two then became three as Pavey headed in after centre-back Jake Goodman had got on the end of a high Alfie Paxman free-kick.

On the second goal, Hessenthaler said: “It was a good strike from Wads. The keeper spilled it and we said to Luke Baptiste ‘Go and gamble on things because you’ll get on the end of things’ and he bundled it in.

“It was great for the young lad, coming on, and the third goal is a header back from Godders and I’m pleased for Alfie.”

With Dover without a game last weekend, Hessenthaler and his squad enjoyed a team bonding session.

“We went to London actually. We took the boys up there last week and had a few beers,” he said.

“The whole group was there - including staff. I didn’t stay very long but I was there for a few hours with them and then they went off and did what they had to do.

“It’s been good and you could feel it in training this week, it’s coming. We’re starting to get together as a group.

“It does take a little bit of time but we are not getting carried away, but it’s three games unbeaten and we look forward to the next game.”

Dover’s manager also gave an injury update. Jordan Higgs was suspended for the Braintree match, player-assistant manager Mitch Brundle (knee) and striker Reece Grant (hamstring) were sidelined, while full-back Myles Judd came off at half-time during their match against the Essex club as he suffered with dizziness.

On Brundle, he said: “He’s got a problem with his knee, we’re trying to get that sorted out.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad and he won’t be out for too long. Reece Grant came off with a hamstring injury at Welling but he’s progressing quite nicely and could be available for the weekend.

“Hopefully Mitch is not [out for] too long. Obviously we will have Higgsy back for next week as well.”

Whites, already out of the FA Cup, will now host Slough next weekend in the league instead.

Dover’s players wore black armbands and there was a minute’s silence prior to kick-off in memory of supporter and local referee Ken Williams who died on Friday.