Dover fought back from a goal down to beat Alfreton Town 3-2 in the Vanarama Conference to open up a five-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Two second-half goals from Nicky Deverdics and a Stefan Payne did the trick as the Whites recorded their third win in a row in all competitions, despite Tyrone Stirling's late red card and a late Alfreton strike.

Dover should have gone in front after 15 minutes when a brilliant Tom Murphy cross found Payne five yards out, but the striker failed to connect with the ball and the chance was gone.

Dover continued to be on top for the first half hour as Payne and Murphy linked-up well. Murphy should have done better with only the keeper to beat and Payne failed with an audacious effort from another Murphy pass.

Alfreton found their feet in the final 15 minutes of the first half with Walton firing just wide before Tom Shaw opened the scoring five minutes before half-time, converting from a corner.

Dover came out all guns blazing in the second half with Deverdics drawing them level on 53 minutes after racing through one-on-one and poking the ball past the on-rushing keeper.

Ten minutes later Dover were in front. Deverdics' free-kick beat the keeper and the defender on the line failed to keep the ball out.

It was 3-1 just nine minutes later with Payne finally getting his goal.

Murphy, again, played in a decent ball but this time the striker clipped the ball over the keeper from an angle.

However, Dover were made to work for the three points after Stirling was sent off for a second-booking in the final minute.

Shaw then netted his second for the home side, but Dover hung on for the win.