Dover scored a late winner against Gateshead on Saturday to keep their National League play-off hopes alive.

Adebayo Azeez scored his first goal for the club a minute from time to give them a 3-2 win at Crabble.

Theo Vassell had given Gateshead a lead in the first half before Giancarlo Gallifuoco got Whites back on level terms.

Ryan Bird put them in front from the penalty spot before Danny Johnson scored a spot kick for the visitors.

Azeez then pounced on a save that was spilt by the goalkeeper to give them a win.

Femi Ilesanmi had Dover’s first real chance 17 minutes into the first half. After a surging run from left-back he found himself in the box and fired towards goal but it was inches wide of the post.

Gateshead took an lead against the run of play after 21 minutes when Theo Vassell scored from 25 yards.

Vassell found space an unleashed a piledriver that beat Mitch Walker to his left.

The visitors had goalkeeper Dan Hanford to thank for preserving their lead four minutes later when he tipped a Mitch Pinnock effort wide. The winger found space on the edge of the box, shifted the ball onto his left foot and got his shot away.

A second goal should have been scored by Gateshead 10 minutes before half-time. Paddy McLaughlin somehow volleyed wide from six yards after an inch perfect cross from Scott Barrow.

Dover were quick to make the visitors pay for not taking that chance as they got themselves back on level terms after 38 minutes.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco rose highest to head home Mitch Brundle’s corner.

Anthony Jeffrey and Ryan Bird both had chances three minutes before half-time but the Gateshead defence were quick to smother the shots.

Gallifuoco had the chance to add his second 10 minutes after the break when he had a free header just inside the area. However, the effort was way off target and bounced wide for a goal kick.

The second goal for Whites eventually came after 68 minutes when Ryan Bird fired home from the penalty spot. Anthony Jeffrey used his pace to beat his man and was brought down in the box.

Gateshead then levelled it up seven minutes before the end of the match. Danny Johnson scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-2 after a foul in the box.

There was late drama in the game as Adebayo Azeez scored his first goal for Dover a minute from time. He pounched on a spilt shot by Gateshead keeper to tap home.

Dover: Walker, Ilesanmi, Parry, Essam (Marsh-Brown 83mins), Lokko, Gallifuoco, Brundle, Nortey, Jeffrey, Pinnock (Passley 73mins), Bird (Azeez 79mins).

Subs not used: Daniel, Bellamy.