Dover boss Chris Kinnear handed Kadell Daniel his first league start against Chester and the winger responded by producing a man-of-the-match performance.

The former Crystal Palace youngster joined Whites in the summer after impressing on trial but before the weekend had been restricted to a string of cameos off the bench.

The 23-year-old Londoner said he had been happy to bide his time with the team doing so well but was determined to take his chance when it came.

Daniel, who was only told he would be playing just before the game, said: “I wasn’t sure that I’d be playing but I was ready just in case.

“I knew (when I joined) that I would have to be patient. We’re a team that’s looking to get promoted so there’s going to be good players in every position. I knew I wasn’t just going to come here and start, I was ready for that.

“Not playing it’s just the life of a footballer, you’ve got to ride it out while you are on the bench, do what you can for the team when you come on and be ready when you do get that opportunity to start, to make an impact.

“I love to get on the ball and get at the defence but here you have to work hard first and I have added that to my game. Every time I get an opportunity to play I just give it my all, that’s all I can do.”

Daniel showed several nice touches before his 79th minute substitution and almost signed off with a goal when his shot clipped the crossbar.

He added: “I should have kept it low, put it across the keeper. You don’t get anything for hitting the crossbar but I started, I got a lot of minutes and we won 4-0 at home so you can’t ask for much more.”

Assistant manager Jake Leberl said he was pleased to see Daniel grab his opportunity which was well deserved.

He added: “It’s been difficult for him but his attitude has been first class and in training he’s really starting to come into his own with his skill set and the talent he’s got.

“I was delighted with him although I don’t know why he wasn’t shooting across goal (with his late chance). He probably went for that corner, that’s the type of guy he is because he can pull it off to be fair.”