George Nikaj scored - but was also sent off - as Dover completed a National League South double over Slough for the season on Saturday.

Nikaj got the only goal in the 84th minute of a contest which came to life after the restart.

And Whites held on for just a third league win this term, despite having the young striker dismissed shortly after he had found the net amid a dramatic finale in their 1-0 triumph.

The mid-table visitors had created the first opportunity at Crabble in the 16th minute of a poor first half.

Winger Slavi Spasov fired wide David Ogbonna’s right-wing cutback after good work by lone striker Nathan Minhas.

Dover’s first chances saw a George Wilkinson long-range shot cleared by a Slough defender before Luke Baptiste curled wide.

Soon after, nobody could get on the end of visiting left-back Tyrese Dyce’s dangerous delivery across goal in front of a crowd of 607.

Nikaj became the first player in the book shortly after the half-hour mark, cautioned for a late challenge on Dyce. Nikaj then was on the receiving end of a late tackle from player-manager Scott Davies which saw him booked.

Dover goalkeeper Daniel Jinadu got well behind Ogbonna’s drive with his first action of note in the 35th minute.

But the hosts wasted the best chance of the half by some distance on the stroke of the interval. Roman Charles-Cook threaded Nikaj through and he crossed from the right, only for the recalled Zidan Sutherland to somehow spoon over at the back post from yards out.

Jinadu got down low two minutes into the second period to save Dyce’s left-wing cross while, two minutes later at the other end, Sutherland dragged wide.

Home penalty appeals were turned down by referee Matthew Norton as Sutherland hit the deck.

The game then really burst to life on the hour mark, with several clear-cut opportunities created at either end.

Ogbonna got around Whites left-back Peter Ojemen but missed the target before Sutherland saw his shot deflected behind.

And from the quickly-taken corner, Jacob Mensah forced Slough keeper Dan Lincoln to tip over.

Big striker Destiny Oladipo replaced Wilkinson in the hosts’ first change, which saw Baptiste dropped into midfield and Sutherland go on the left flank.

Four minutes later, Jinadu again got down sharply, steering away an effort by substitute Leon Chambers-Pallion.

Whites finally broke through despite Lincoln feeling he had been fouled as he tried to claim a high left-wing cross.

Nothing was given, however, and Nikaj sparked wild scenes.

But Academy graduate Nikaj - remarkably - was dismissed a minute later. He collected a second yellow card for a late challenge on Temi Eweka in midfield.

Dover captain James Dunne replaced substitute Oladipo in the last minute of normal time in a bid to help them see out the victory.

In the third of five minutes of stoppage time, Eweka’s long-range shot stung the palms of Jinadu.

But Jake Leberl’s troops held firm. They move off the foot of the table on goal difference, albeit they remain 10 points from safety.

Whites manager Leberl had made one switch from the side which had been beaten 2-1 at home to Kent rivals Tonbridge on Tuesday. Iffy Allen dropped to the substitutes’ bench to be replaced by Sutherland.

Experienced defender John Oyenuga again missed out after he was involved in a midweek car-crash.

Centre-back Mensah kept the armband for a second successive game, with experienced midfielder Dunne remaining on the bench.

Lincoln - also a talented cricketer who has played for Kent - started for the visitors.

When the teams met at Arbour Park in August, Baptiste got the winning goal in Dover’s 2-1 triumph.

Dover Athletic: Jinadu, Ojemen, Mensah, Holding, Naylor, Baptiste, Oliver, Charles-Cook, Nikaj, Wilkinson (Oladipo 70mins, Dunne 89mins), Sutherland (Allen 79mins). Subs not used: Dembele, Young.

Slough Town: Lincoln, Dandy, Prosper, Minhas, Davies (Jackman 81mins), Ebuzoeme (Chambers-Parillon 63mins), Eweka, Dyce, Sundire, Ogbonna, Spasov (Goddard 57mins). Subs not used: Bayliss, Hamiga.

Referee: Matthew Norton.

Attendance: 607.