It was a case of job done for Dover as they edged out Halifax 1-0 at Crabble to move up to fourth in the National League.

Dover started the game well and took the lead in the eighth minute, making their early pressure count.

A Nicky Deverdics corner from the right was headed back across goal by Richard Orlu, the visitors failed to clear and the ball ended up back at the feet of Deverdics, who cut inside, beat his man and fired a low left-footed shot past Sam Johnson.

Two minutes later it was almost two when the influential Deverdics, who ran the first half, struck a half-volley just over the bar from the edge of the area.

Dover continued to be the better side and a neat move involving Liam Bellamy and Stefan Payne almost played in Ricky Miller, a last-ditch tackle forcing a corner.

In the early stages Halifax only threatened with a few hopeful crosses that were dealt with comfortably by Whites keeper Mitch Walker.

Walker was called into action in the 21st minute when Connor Hughes got in down the left, but his pull back was tame and the Dover keeper was able to cut out the cross.

The away side threatened again six minutes later when a dangerous cross from Kevin Roberts just evaded Richard Peniket, before the ball fell to Hughes, but Sean Raggett did well to get a block in and Dover cleared.

Kingsley James was the next to cause the home side trouble, winning the ball from Orlu down the right before flicking the ball over Jack Parkinson, but the Dover defence recovered just in time as the midfielder was lining up a shot from eight yards.

A scrappy end to the first half was almost brought to life from a brilliant Dover counter-attack - from the visitors' first corner.

Miller did well to hold-up Raggett's header clear on halfway before releasing Deverdics to his left. The midfielder played in Braham-Barrett down the right and his low cross was taken off the toes of Payne by Hughes, who did brilliant to track the forward's run.

The visitors finally had their first shot in the 51st minute after Deverdics was robbed of possession. But James' effort from 20 yards was straight at Walker.

Payne had Dover's first real chance of the second half, picking the ball up 40 yards out before driving to the edge of the D, but his shot lacked power and was easily saved.

However, despite Dover being in control, the away side almost levelled just before the hour.

Jake Hibbs' cross from the right was headed towards his own goal by Richard Orlu. Walker scrambled across but could only flap it off the line, the ball fell to Peniket, but he had an air kick, missing the ball and Dover cleared.

The game had started to open up and at the other end Payne turned well on the edge of the box but his effort was well saved by Johnson.

Back came the visitors again at the other end with Kevin Roberts' fierce drive whistling past the far post from 25 yards.

Halifax created another chance on 76 minutes, when substitute Josh McDonald raced down the left, beat Sam Magri, but his low cross evaded the on-rushing forwards and flew across the Dover box to safety.

Four minutes later Dover survived a massive scare when Halifax were denied by the woodwork.

Substitutes Josh McDonald and Shaquille McDonald combined well, with the latter's cross being headed against the bar by Jordan Burrow.

Bellamy then went close at the other end, but when well placed on the edge of the box, he couldn't get his shot away quick enough and his effort was deflected wide.

Dover managed the remaining few minutes well, with no further scares to collect all three points and keep their play-off bid on course.

Dover: Walker, Magri, Kinnear, Raggett, Orlu, Bellamy, Miller (Ofori-Acheampong 87mins), Deverdics, Parkinson, Payne (Sterling 90mins), Braham-Barrett. Subs not used: Grimes, Marsh, Essam.

Halifax: Johnson, Bolton, Roberts, McManus, Hibbs, Bencherif, Wroe, James, Peniket (J McDonald 62mins) Burrow, Hughes (S McDonald 75mins). Subs not used: Porter, Fairhurst, Fazlic.

Attendance: 1,027.