Dover boss Chris Kinnear will put his friendship with Gary Brabin on hold for 90 minutes at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium on Saturday.

The two will go head-to-head for the first time as managers in Vanarama Conference and Kinnear is determined to win the bragging rights against someone he said he tried to sign as player for Dover a few years ago.

And if Kinnear does win the day, it will bring to an end Brabin’s impressive start to his managerial career at Southport.

The former midfielder, who played 95 times for Hull City at one stage in his Football League career, has seen his side win two of the three league games played since he replaced Martin Foyle earlier this month.

They beat Welling (1-0) and Braintree (2-0). The other game ended in a 3-3 draw against Lincoln.

Kinnear, whose side will start the game just a point behind Southport, said he was looking forward to locking horns with Brabin.

But he won’t be treating the game any differently.

Kinnear said: “ I’d like to get one over Gary. It would be great - it could mean that I might get a dinner out of him!"

“It won’t be easy to do though. Gary was a real warrior as a player - tough and uncompromising. I know his side will be the same."