Dover Ath 0 Margate 0

DOVER manager Clive Walker admitted at the end of this match that if Whites had been offered four points in the two league clashes against Margate before the start of the Conference season they would gladly have accepted them.

But that was then and this is now. And eight traumatic months on, with Dover clinging to the relegation precipice, three points were the essential requirement from last night's derby game with Margate at Crabble, especially after Saturday’s victory at Staylebridge had raised a glimmer of hope that the Great Escape was still possible.

Performance-wise, Whites fans in the 2,325 crowd could have few complaints with the attitude and commitment of Walker’s side, and over the 90 minutes they could fairly claim a narrow points victory.

But, with only six games left, knockout wins are what Dover desperately need now and once again a lack of penetration in front of goal meant that their endeavour did not receive its due reward.

That endeavour was typified by Kevin Seabury in midfield and Leon Kelly up front, especially in the first half, when Dover’s territorial domination was reflected by a corner count of seven to two in their favour.

But although they were on the back foot, Chris Kinnear’s side never really looked ruffled. Experienced defenders Iain O’Connell and Bill Edwards prevented Dover from creating any clear cut chances, and goalkeeper Lee Turner only had to make one genuine save during the first 45, from Keith Scott’s shot on the turn, even though Turner had to be much more alert than counterpart Paul Hyde.

Chris Allen, Lee Shearer and Kristian James all saw efforts flash a couple of yards wide, and the fact that Margate had to wait 37 minutes for their first corner gave a fair indication of the pattern of the first period.

But in the closing minutes of the half Margate offered signs that the second half would have a different complexion, and they almost went in front from their second corner when Gareth Graham’s fierce goalbound volley was headed away by Scott.

So, as in their Boxing Day encounter, half-time arrived without a goal, but with the entertainment having been at a far higher level than that during the sterile first 45 at Hartsdown Park.

Then, of course, Dover went on to snatch victory with a second half header from Jimmy Aggrey in Neville Southall’s first game in charge, and what Dover would have given for a repeat on Monday, especially after the financial pain and frustration caused by the two subsequent postponements of the home fixture.

Completing the double over Margate, whose travelling support inevitably produced a regular chant of “Going Down”, would have given Whites fans a rare moment of satisfaction this season, but it wasn’t to be.

Kinnear’s compact and well-organised outfit, who have frustrated many better teams than Dover this season, began to garner more midfield possession and in Leon Braithwaite and Akpo Sodje Gate have two speedy forwards who are always likely to snatch a breakaway goal.

Dover lost some of their first half momentum but were still dangerous in flashes. Scott, whose last goal came nearly four months ago, forced Turner to a scrambling save low down by his right hand post while Allen drove in a cross-cum-shot which missed both the far post and Matt Carruthers’ despairing lunge by inches.

Carruthers then forced Turner into a tip-over save with his dipping 25-yard free kick, but Margate looked the stronger in the last 10 minutes and substitute Jay Saunders almost gave his side what would have been an undeserved victory after being put in by Terry McFlynn.

Dover: Hyde; Browne, Leberl, Shearer, Norman; Carruthers, Seabury, James, Allen; Scott, Allen.

Margate: Turner; Williams, O’Connell, Edwards, Porter, Lamb; Graham, Munday, McFlynn; Braithwaite, Sodje.