Chris Kinnear praised his Dover side’s commitment despite conceding a late equaliser at Maidstone United in the National League yesterday.

The Whites drew against the Stones 2-2 again after their previous match on Boxing Day ended on the same scoreline.

Fabulous solo goals from Femi Ilesanmi and Nortei Nortey looked like it would give Dover all three points but a late strike from Joe Anderson meant they had to settle for a draw.

Kinnear said his players are still giving their all to get themselves as high as possible in the table.

He said: “We are happy but disappointed on the other hand. You can’t knock the commitment of the players. They are still focused on trying to get up there.

“We are disappointed but if you look at the beginning of the season and said we would be around the play-offs we would be happy. However, once you’ve got yourself in this position you want to push on.”

The draw with Maidstone keeps Dover in fourth place on 45 points and it was their fourth draw over the festive period.

Despite conceding a late goal the away side still had opportunities to win the game and in the dying minutes of the match the Maidstone goalkeeper, Lee Worgan, pulled off some outstanding saves.

Kinnear said: “Overall, we were a bit slow to start. In the middle bit we started to get on top and scored two great goals. Then at the end Worgan pulled off two worldy saves when we could have won it 3-2. That’s just the way it goes.

“It was disappointing and to have two great chances at the end as well. That’s the way it is. We are still unbeaten in seven but we didn’t quite close the game off did we.”

Much has been said in the build up to games about the impact 3G pitches has on matches but Kinnear said he’s not looking for excuses.

He added: “We always try to do the same and get on with it. You can’t change it, there’s three pitches in our league so what do you do?

“You can’t moan about it and let your players make excuses you just have to get on with it. Our players know they have to come here.”