Dover Athletic 0 Tiverton 0

THESE two sides met for the second time in five days last night and, as in the previous encounter in Devon, nothing could separate them.

Dover's need for a proven striker to put the ball in the net was once again evident. But they will be pleased with how well their defence handled a physical and experienced Tiverton side.

The Whites dominated for long periods but the lack of finesse in front of goal was the difference as they failed to leapfrog their opponents into fifth place in the league.

There was one enforced change for boss Clive Walker, with Saturday's match winner Tony Browne starting a four-game ban. He was replaced by recent signing Steve Hafner who was making his first start since his move from Folkestone.

Hafner was immediately in action, blocking an effort after hesitant defending by Dean Readings, and he showed fine composure throughout the game with his marauding runs up the flanks and good distribution.

The best chance of the first came on 22 minutes when Kenny Dyer found himself in space just 10 yards from goal after excellent approach work by Matt Carruthers. However, he rushed his shot and saw it sail into the Town End terrace.

The second half saw the Whites dominate possession but the cutting edge to finish off the good approach play was missing, with strikers Tommy Tyne and Carruthers being forced into wide positions rather than being in the penalty area.

The visitors nearly gifted Dover the lead in the 65th minute when a good cross by Steve Norman saw David Steele slice the ball across the six-yard box with no Dover player on hand to touch the ball home, while Norman was a whisker away after a fine cross shot which brushed the post.

This spell of pressure was the best of the game for Dover and Lee Spiller thought that he had finally broken the deadlock with 17 minutes to go when a Carruthers shot was parried by keeper Ben Foster straight to him, but his header lacked any power or pace and it was cleared off the line by Chenoworth.

This proved the last worthwhile effort for Dover, while Tiverton, who seemed happy for a point from the start, were disappointed in the final minute when they claimed that Andy Arnott had handled in the box while under pressure from giant defender Nathan Rudge. Despite huge protests, the referee waved away the appeals for a penalty.

Dover: Hyde, Hafner (Glover 90), Norman, Arnott, Readings, Dyer, Chapman, Spiller, Day, Carruthers, Tyne (Sykes 82) Subs not used: Cloke, James, Munday.