Stafford Rangers 2 Dover Athletic 1

STAFFORD Rangers came from behind to condemn Dover to their seventh successive away league defeat in this Dr Martens, premier division, clash on Saturday.

Whites were missing the suspended Dean Readings and also Andy Arnott, Mark Patterson and Matt Carruthers, who were all unfit for one reason or another.

Stafford had a lot of possession in the first half but struggled to make goalscoring chances. In an early attack Dover’s Tommy Tyne was tripped in the penalty area but the officials saw nothing wrong.

Home forward Craig Wilding was booked after 17 minutes for a late two-footed lunge on Lee Spiller, and nine minutes later Dover went ahead.

Jamie Day saw his shot saved by home 'keeper Ryan Price, but he gathered the rebound and set up Andy Crofts for his second goal in two games, firing home via a deflection and a post from 20 yards.

Five minutes before the break Stafford equalised when Paul Hyde blocked Craig Lovatt’s shot, but little winger Robbie Gibson was on hand to score from close range.

It was much the same after half-time, with Dover generally defending. Danny Davidson volleyed just wide on 53 minutes, but four minutes later he headed on for Wilding to slot past Hyde to put the home side 2-1 ahead.

Dover then attacked for much of the rest of the game but really only created half-chances on goal. Craig Wilkins had a header straight at Price, and Jimmy Jackson saw a volley blocked by defender Richard Beale.

Crofts, who is on loan from Gillingham, again impressed while Jackson, loaned from Dagenham, also showed some nice touches though he is still a little short of full match fitness.

Dover Ath Res: Hyde, Browne, Davies (Glover 66), Crofts, Hickman, Chapman, Day, Spiller, Wilkins, Tyne (Welch 87), Jackson. Subs not used: Rogers, Skelton, Postma.