Mike Sandmann was thrilled with Dover’s second-half performance in their National League South win over Hungerford on Saturday.

Whites claimed a 1-0 success from their first home match of the new league campaign as striker Alfie Pavey scored the game’s only goal at Crabble midway through the second period.

Academy manager Sandmann once again was in charge in the dugout with boss Andy Hessenthaler serving the second game of a two-match ban and so it was Sandmann who led Dover to only their second competitive home victory this year after a tough National League campaign last season ended in relegation.

“We are really pleased with the win, [and a] clean sheet as well,” reflected Sandmann, who also was in charge on the sidelines last weekend as Whites drew 1-1 at newly-promoted Worthing.

“They had a couple of chances but we looked solid. You could see how hard the boys were working towards the end.

“Naturally, we’re going to be under more pressure, they throw more bodies forward, so we are really pleased with the clean sheet but also the second-half performance.

“The manager [Hessenthaler] wanted them to pass the ball more, we wanted them to pass the ball more, be braver in possession and I thought we did that really well.

• Match report: Dover 1-0 Hungerford

“We scored a really, really good goal. I’m really pleased for Alf to start his season off with a goal and, yeah, we are really pleased.

“Four points out of the first two games is a good start.”

Pavey got on the end of a cross from impressive wideman Luke Wanadio to head home and earn the hosts the points.

Wanadio was one of Dover’s summer signings having spent time last season at both Dartford and Isthmian Premier Folkestone.

Sandmann said: “To be fair, it wasn’t the first one he [Wanadio] had put in.

“Luke put in some great deliveries and there were a couple of times we should have gambled at the back post. His delivery has been fantastic and there’s been some great link-up play.

“You saw that with the goal at Worthing last week and similar again here - I’m looking forward to watching it back - and I felt like, in the second half, we got ourselves into some really good areas and played some good football.

“We were patient when we needed to be patient, played forward when we needed to play forward, and we were really pleased with the goal. We could have scored more.”

On-loan Dover goalkeeper Ryan Sandford made several saves at the other end as he got a well-earned clean sheet.

Sandmann said: “He pulled out some great saves. When he was called upon, he stood up.

“It’s a new team for him - he’s only been here for a couple of weeks - and he’s getting to know the players and the players are getting to know him. But he’s made a brilliant start for us.

“I’m pleased for him that he’s got his clean sheet, as well as for his defenders.

“When goals go against you, they’re the first to have fingers pointed at them. So it’s important that we get clean sheets and become difficult to beat.”

There had been little to choose between the sides before Pavey struck, although Dover felt they should have been awarded a first-half penalty when skipper Lee Martin went to ground, only for referee Shelby Elson to book Martin for simulation.

“We are going to ask for it, obviously, but I’d have to see it again if I’m honest,” said Sandmann.

“I genuinely don’t know. To be fair, I haven’t even asked Marts [Lee Martin]. We were just focusing on the next part of the game.

“Sometimes, these things go against you. Last week at Worthing, Brunds [Mitch Brundle] has gone in - he hasn’t made contact - but he’s asked the question of the referee and he’s won it [Worthing winning a penalty, which they missed].

“The defender is in the box, made a decision [to put in a challenge] and Marts has gone over.

“Whether there’s contact, I’d have to re-look at it but he’s got to ask the question of the referee.”

Dover play host to Tonbridge in their first Kent derby of the season on Tuesday night, with Hessenthaler set to return to the touchline.

Both sides have collected four points from their first two league matches this term.