Ricky Miller struck two superb goals to keep Dover's promotion hopes on track as they secured a big win over play-off rivals Gateshead at Crabble.

The Vanarama National League's leading marksman both won and converted the 34th minute free-kick which broke the deadlock and then added a clinical second with 13 minutes remaining.

The striker's double took his season's tally in all competitions to 39, 34 of which have come in the league as Whites climbed above their rivals into sixth spot.

The defeat was Gateshead's first in 11 matches while Whites stretched their unbeaten home run in the league to eight games.

Whites boss Chris Kinnear was forced to make one change from the team which lost in midweek at Tranmere with Sam Magri replacing the injured James Hurst (thigh) while defender Bondz N'Gala returned to the squad after missing three matches due to personal reasons.

The game had little shape in the opening stages, although George Smith looked lively for Gateshead on the left and created an opening on seven minutes when his cross was glanced straight at Mitch Walker by Jordan Burrow.

Dover struggled to get on the ball early on but forced the first of two first half corners on 18 minutes and moments later produced some good play which ended with Moses Emmanuel's cross being gathered at the near post by Gateshead keeper James Montgomery.

The breakthrough came out of nothing on 34 minutes when Miller won a free-kick 22 yards out and then curled a superb shot into the top left-hand corner with keeper Montgomery helpless in the opposite corner.

Miller's goal was Dover's first shot on target but it clearly invigorated them, and just moments later Miller and Emmanuel combined well with the latter volleying over over from 20 yards.

Dover looked to have the bit between their teeth but Gateshead should have been level before half-time when first Mitch Brundle headed over and then when Walker saved brilliantly with his legs from Paddy McLaughlin after Danny Johnson had squared the ball back.

Dover made an excellent start to the second half with Emmanuel twice getting into good shooting positions while Joe Healy showed some good footwork before hitting a right-foot shot straight at Montgomery.

They should have doubled their lead on 52 minutes when Miller sent Emmanuel clear but as a defender came in he stabbed his effort just wide.

Moments later the roles were reversed as Emmanuel this time freed Miller whose snap shot thudded against the foot of the post.

It was all Dover at this stage but they had let-off on 65 minutes when Manny Smith got in behind them but failed to connect properly with a header from Liam Hogan's diagonal free-kick.

Miller then stung Montgomery's hands with another well-struck free-kick and the Gateshead keeper had to save with his feet as Ricky Modeste tried to get onto Miller's pass.

The Whites did a great job of shackling Gateshead's 18-goal marksman Johnson but he did threaten on 75 minutes with an effort that drifted wide.

Two minutes later however the points were wrapped up when Gateshead allowed Miller to cut onto his left foot and he drilled a fierce low shot beyond Montgomery.

The man of the moment almost completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds but was denied by Montgomery's fingertip save.

Johnson did have a chance for late consolation when the ball broke to him at the far post on 88 minutes but he ballooned over which summed up Gateshead's afternoon.

The match was watched by a bumper crowd of 2,507 which was boosted by a number of schoolchildren who were given free tickets as part of Dover's latest Family Day promotion.

Dover: Walker, Fazakerley (Kinnear jnr 55mins), Orlu, Grimes, Essam, Sterling, Healy (Pinnock 82mins), Magri, Modeste, Miller, Emmanuel (Lafayette 70mins). Subs not used: N'Gala, Thomas.

Gateshead: Montgomery, G. Smith, M.Smith, Hogan, Fyfield, Brundle, Johnson, Burrow, Mafuta (White 80mins), McLaughlin, Green (Hannant 61mins); Subs: Bolton, Hanford, O'Donnell.

Attendance: 2,507