Captain Mitch Walker has outlined what he thinks should be the first aim for Isthmian Premier leaders Dover this season - to avoid relegation!

Whites have made a bright start to the campaign and are three points clear, and are on a seven-game unbeaten league run.

But experienced keeper Walker is remaining level-headed as Dover target a swift National League South return.

He said: “We’re just over a third of the way through the season.

“The way I’d encourage everyone to look at it, including the boys, is we’re on 33 points. That’s probably about seven points away from being clear of relegation. That’s the best way to look at it.

“When we get to that point - which I’m sure we will do in the very near future - we will then look at the next stage.

“But let’s not get carried away with ourselves. It’s a long, old, season and there’s some very good teams in this league.

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“We’re a very good team, we just need to keep pushing and I’m sure we will be in and around it, come the end of the season.”

Walker, 33, is the senior head in a largely youthful Whites squad.

“I’ve been in a lot of changing rooms over the years, I think this is my 13th or 14th year in men’s senior football in non-league, and I’ve seen a lot of things and worked with a lot of different people,” he said. “It’s good to work with a younger bunch.

“They kind of keep my energy up - because sometimes it dwindles - and I’ve got a busy family life.

“But the boys are fantastic and we have got a really good balance.”

Dover are also Isthmian Premier’s highest scorers this term - five ahead of second-placed Wingate & Finchley, who have played a league fixture more - and dished up more entertainment in last weekend’s 3-2 home win over Canvey Island.

Speaking to the media after the game, Walker reflected: “We didn’t play very well, I thought the game was quite scrappy, but I’ll take the three points over playing well every single day.”

But Whites’ character within the squad shone through once again as they twice came from behind.

Walker said: “In football, there’s always stuff that goes against you, whether it’s goals, decisions or whatever it may be.

“You have got to roll your sleeves up, you have got to dig deep, you have got to show character and I think we have got that in abundance this season.”

There was confusion as Jake Leberl’s team fell behind early on against Canvey Island.

A corner routine saw skipper Elliott Ronto fire a shot against the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. It then appeared Walker had saved from close range to deny Chris Harris, with the linesman seemingly flagging to rule the striker had been offside.

But after a conversation between referee Daniel Blades and the assistant referee, a goal was given - presumably with Ronto's shot having been adjudged to have bounced over the line off the woodwork.

Walker wasn’t convinced, saying: “I didn’t think it did go over, just for the simple fact that, when the ball hit the crossbar and came back down, the rebound header was from about four or five yards out.

“There wasn’t much spin on the ball so it was a little bit odd that the ball had bounced that far out - if it had gone over - so, personally, I didn’t think it had.

“But the linesman was adamant when I spoke to him at half-time that it did.”

Ruben Soares-Junior’s 10th goal this season then got Dover level shortly before half-time, only for a mistake by Walker from a Ronto free-kick to see them trail once more.

“It’s a difficult one, sometimes,” said Walker. “When there’s two on the ball, you don’t know if it’s going to be the left or right, and then you’re trying to set the wall up, depending on which one you think is going to take it.

“In my opinion, you have always got to go on the side of caution. I was set-up for the right-footer to take it on my left-hand side.

“But I should be doing better with that. It was a little bit of an awkward ball. I just got caught in two minds as to whether to dive, and try to push it away, or comfortably secure the ball.

“Unfortunately, I decided to go for the latter and I think the first one was a better choice. It just sort of squirmed underneath me and into the back of the net. But those things happen in football, it’s part and parcel of it, and it’s probably not the last mistake I’m going to make this season.

“There probably will be two or three more - there always is for goalkeepers - and it’s just important how you react.

“I thought the team reacted well.”

Midfielder Alfie Matthews got Whites level again before 15-goal top scorer George Nikaj thundered in what proved the winning goal.

Walker said: “I think we’re blessed at the moment with the ability that we have got in the team, all the way through.

“Alfie showed great composure on the edge of the box. Nikaj, any time he cuts in on that left foot, he’s very deadly.

“If anything, I think Nikaj might be a little disappointed with how many he has got so far. I think he backs himself to get even more!

“We’ll learn from Saturday, try to make ourselves stronger, and just keep progressing.”

Whites are at strugglers Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday when they will be without the suspended Matthews.