Dover beat FC Halifax 2-1 at Crabble to extend the gap between themselves and the National League drop zone to five points.

Alfie Pavey opened the scoring in the 24th minute when he stroked home Jai Reason's square pass to grab his third goal in four games.

Anthony Jeffrey made it two with a fortuitous cross-shot after an hour before Matty Kosylo scored Halifax's only goal of the game four minutes later.

Andy Hessenthaler named an unchanged side for the third successive game, keeping his faith in the eleven that will have considered themselves unlucky to come away with just a point from their previous two fixtures.

Halifax meanwhile named Ryan Gondoh on the bench following the winger's arrival from Colchester United on loan for a month.

The visitors were, however, without James Hardy after he was recalled from his loan spell by parent club AFC Fylde.

Halifax showcased their defensive credentials in a tight opening having conceded just two goals in their last 10 National League outings prior to Saturday.

The first chance fell to the visitors in the sixth minute when Scott Quigley reacted first to the loose ball from a corner, only to see his half-volley fly over.

Bedsente Gomis tried his luck from the edge of the box just past the 15 minute mark with an innocuous effort somewhat typical of the game's stuttering start.

Goalkeeper Lee Worgan was forced into an excellent save moments later as he dived low to his left to tip Devante Rodney's driven effort wide of the post.

Pavey then tested the palms of Halifax goalkeeper Sam Johnson with a well-hit strike, before Kosylo took inspiration with a long-range effort of his own at the other end.

Dover took the lead on 24 minutes when Pavey tapped home from close-range after Reason had collected the ball in the box before keeping his composure to find his teammate.

A hint of handball from the latter in the build-up to the goal left Halifax players furious in the aftermath, with Kosylo talking his way into referee Simeon Lucas' book.

Hessenthaler's men dominated proceedings until the interval but will again have been disappointed with their end product.

Dover picked up where they left off after the restart, starting with a fierce Bobby-Joe Taylor shot that was well-blocked by Nathan Clarke.

Jeffrey went close again when he glided beyond his marker and onto his right foot before failing to hit the target with his low effort.

Worgan was called into action shortly after, saving low with his feet from Kosylo's shot after McNamara had misjudged the flight of the ball.

Allen was the latest to threaten the Halifax goal, hitting his snap-shot just wide after Taylor's free-kick had failed to clear the first man.

Then came the Whites' second around the hour mark as Jeffrey's deep cross curled beyond everyone before creeping into the far corner.

Halifax pulled a goal back minutes later when Kosylo headed over Worgan after Dover's entire defence was beaten by Johnson's goal kick.

Second half substitute Manny Duku had a chance to draw his side level, skewing his shot wide having raced through on goal.

Dover were hit by an injury setback with just over 10 minutes remaining as Pavey was replaced by Inih Effiong after failing to run off an earlier knock.

Kosylo delivered a late reminder of Halifax's threat on the break, finding himself leading a two-on-two situation until the excellent Worgan left his box to halt him in his path.

Nortey Nortei and Scott Doe were both introduced in place of Jamie Allen and Anthony Jeffrey on 87 minutes as Dover strived to avoid more late heartbreak.

Six minutes of injury time made for a nervous ending, but Hessenthaler's side held on for an invaluable three points.

The result leaves Dover five points ahead of 21st-placed Havant after they were beaten 2-1 by Chesterfield.

Dover: Worgan, McNamara, Brundle, Lokko, Taylor, Gomis, Lewis, Jeffrey (Doe 87mins), Reason, Allen (Nortei 87mins), Pavey (Effiong 79mins). Subs not used: Passley, Daniel.

FC Halifax: Johnson, Duckworth, Clarke, Brown, Kosylo, King, Maher, Rodney, Quigley (Duku 67mins), Skarz, Berrett (Gondoh 83mins). Subs not used: Rowley, Preston, Staunton.

Attendance: 897.