Chris Kinnear appealed for cool heads in the Dover ranks despite seeing his side slip out of the play-off places as Whites’ patchy form continues.

Dover went down 2-0 at Vanarama National League leaders Lincoln on Friday night to make it six points from their last seven league games and just one win in nine in all competitions.

Although none of the top 19 sides won at the weekend, Barrow leapfrogged Dover and into fifth spot by beating Lincoln 3-0 in Cumbria on Tuesday night and have played a game less than Kinnear’s side.

After the Lincoln loss, Kinnear claimed Dover needed to get themselves going again, starting with the visit of Chester, who are joint-10th but could close to within three points of Dover with a win at Crabble on Saturday (3pm).

Whites boss Kinnear said: “Training has been sharp and intense. We are always looking to improve and add to the squad. We had a player training with us on Tuesday but I can’t say any more at the moment.

“We are still right up there, which is amazing, given the size of the clubs and budgets we are competing against. None of the top-19 won on Saturday. That was Barrow’s first win in six (on Tuesday).

“It’s important to keep your head and not overreact.

“Why get frustrated, I know that’s the nature of football but there are going to be ups and downs.

“One of the reasons why we have done so well is that we don’t get carried away.”

Kinnear claimed the division was a tougher proposition this season and said Dover were doing ‘amazingly’ to be within nine points of the top at this stage.

He added: “There are a lot more clubs throwing a lot more money at it this year – it’s different to other years. A lot of clubs are bringing in players from the Football League rather than non-league.

“Only two can get promoted so there are going to be a lot of clubs who throw money at it but not go up.

“Look at last year, we made the play-offs but teams like Tranmere, Eastleigh and Barrow did not.

“We’re not in the same position as those clubs, every year we lose important players to bigger clubs and we have to try and replace them.”

Ricky Miller and two such summer replacements, Ross Lafayette and Moses Emmanuel, have 46 goals between them in Dover’s 29 National League games this season but have only mustered one Miller penalty in the last three games.

Kinnear said: “We need to get that spark back. It’s about supply to them and confidence... all of the above. It’s important that we support them.”

Kinnear hopes to have a fully-fit squad although Ricky Modeste’s expected baby has not arrived yet which could affect his availability.