Mitch Pinnock’s goal in the last 10 minutes gave Dover a 1-0 win against Leyton Orient to lift them back into the National League play-off places.

The winger scored his fifth league goal in his last six games to earn his side three points at Crabble.

Whites’ game was the only match in the league to survive the ‘Beast from the East’ and they took full advantage to put the pressure on other teams.

Mitch Walker also made a string of saves in the second half to keep a clean sheet for Chris Kinnear’s side.

Fans turned up at 8am to help get the protective covers off the pitch so the game could get on.

Dover’s first chance came after nine minutes when Adebayo Azeez had the ball at his feet in the box. With his back to goal he couldn’t get past his man and his shot was blocked.

Mitch Walker was forced into a magnificent save 15 minutes into the match when Josh Koroma’s free-kick from 25 yards looked to be heading for the top corner.

From the resulting corner Orient players were claiming Nortei Nortey handled the ball in the box but the referee waved away their appeals.

Macauley Bonne had two good chances to score for the visitors but could not test Walker. The first, a header, lacked power and was easily gathered by the goalkeeper. The second saw the striker through on goal after a fast counter-attack. His shot sailed over the stand after the ball bobbled up just as he was about to strike.

On the stroke of half-time Azeez had another chance to put Whites ahead. Orient failed to clear and the ball fell to the forward with just the keeper to beat from a tight angle. His shot went over the bar but he should have crossed as Brundle was free at the far post.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco forced a good save from Dean Brill seven minutes into the second half. A floated free-kick was flicked on by the defender and was pushed wide by the goalkeeper for a corner.

Dan Holman had a good chance for Orient when he spun his man on the edge of the box but his shot went just wide.

Whites hit the post after 63 minutes after they started to put pressure on the visitors. Nortei Nortey latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired through a crowded box but hit the woodwork.

Walker made a string of saves to deny Orient after 72 minutes. From a free-kick he saved low to his left to push it out for a corner. From the next passage of play he saved one-on-one from Holman and Adams and then Reynolds hit the post.

Pinnock eventually broke the deadlock after 83 minutes. Azeez played the winger through on goal who then smashed into the top corner with the outside of his foot.

Dover: Walker, Passley (Okosieme 56mins), Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Essam, Lokko, Brundle, Nortey (Bellamy 72mins), Pinnock, Azeez, Bird (Parry 90mins).
Subs not used: Jeffrey, Daniel