Manager Jake Leberl concedes he has to change Dover’s mentality if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation this season.

Basement boys Whites started 2024 with a 2-0 defeat at home to Truro City, as the in-form visitors scored twice inside five second-half minutes last weekend.

Dover had collected five points from Leberl’s first three National League South matches in charge - but, after ending last year with a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Aveley, back-to-back defeats have now left them 12 points adrift.

“I’ve got to change the mentality,” said Leberl, trying to save the club from a second relegation in three seasons.

“We cannot go a goal down and then throw in the towel.

“That’s the way I felt it went - and that’s the first time since I’ve been here that I’ve seen that. It’s just not acceptable.

“You’ve got to have belief. I know it’s hard, I know we’re down there, and I know the club has been losing for a few seasons - but someone has got to change it.

“I’ve said to the boys that you just have to stick together and be a team. I’m not having defenders moaning at forwards for missing and forwards moaning at defenders.”

Leberl was disappointed with Dover’s response after conceding a controversial first goal against Truro - some home players indicating they felt the ball had already gone out of play before forward Andrew Neal stabbed home.

Just four minutes later, defender Ed Palmer added a second.

“That’s the first time I have seen it,” he said. “It’s a losing mentality, isn’t it?

“The club has been on a losing streak for several seasons. But since we have been in, we have got a few results and a win here last time.

“I just felt, at 1-0, we could have had a go at them and thrown another one up top.

“But we didn’t get the reaction so that was a disappointment.”

A 13th league loss this term leaves Whites on only 17 points from 26 matches. Leberl concedes they could need to treble their points tally if they are to pull off an unlikely escape.

He noted: “History says you’re going to need getting on for 50 points. But we just have to pick up points in every game we play in and give it our best shot.”

Whites, without defenders Jacob Mensah and Peter Ojemen due to injury and illness respectively, opted to start against Truro with a back three.

Leberl explained: “Jacob has a bit of a foot problem.

“We were hoping Pete was going to be in the squad last week but, unfortunately, he was taken ill. We were bare bones, defensively. But, luckily, the back three managed to get through the game.”

Among those to start in the backline was Watford loanee Scott Holding - the club’s player-of-the-month in December. His initial loan was set to expire yesterday while keeper David Aziaya’s original short-term spell from Bromley is also up soon.

After the defeat to Truro, Leberl revealed: “We’re looking at that this weekend, really. We will see what we can do.

“Johl Powell has left us so we will probably look to bring one or two others in if we can find the right people.

“We probably need another centre-half, although Pete can play there and Jacob is still to come back. Then, we need someone who can put those chances away.”

Another to feature in Dover’s squad against Truro was returning young midfielder Freddie Oliver.

He was an unused substitute, having left for Ramsgate last summer, but Leberl said: “I’m hoping he will play a big part moving forward.”

Whites face a 440-mile round trip to Taunton - who, before their midweek game with Yeovil, were just above the relegation zone - this Saturday. Taunton were edged out 1-0 by the Glovers in midweek.

Dover are hiring a full-time administration and finance controller. Email chairman Jim Parmenter at jim.parmenter@doverathletic.com.