Dover’s winless start to the season continued as they lost 2-1 at home to Barnet in the National League on Saturday.

Mason Bloomfield had put Barnet in front early on before Daniel Powell doubled their advantage in the second half and, despite another goal for Whites top scorer Aaron Cosgrave, Dover fell to an eighth loss in 11 league matches.

The visitors had the ball in the net inside two minutes when Bloomfield stroked home Powell’s right-wing cross from a matter of yards out, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

But eight minutes later, the away side did break the deadlock. Ephron Mason-Clark picked out Ben Richards-Everton at the back post and he headed back a right-wing cross across goal to Bloomfield who nodded past Whites goalkeeper Adam Parkes.

Dover’s first clear-cut chance came on 17 minutes as Koby Arthur cut in off the right and unleashed a fierce left-footed effort. But away keeper Aston Oxborough was equal to it.

Midway through the first half, the hosts created another opening with Yannis Drais driving forward and he found Matt Bentley whose snap-shot forced a fingertip save from Oxborough.

Three minutes later, Dover captain Sam Wood’s free-kick caught the away team napping. Cosgrave beat the Barnet goalkeeper to the loose ball but his header landed inches wide of the post.

Barnet’s Powell then drove past makeshift full-back Travis Gregory and he tried his luck, although a combination of home defender Jake Goodman and Parkes managed to deny Powell.

After a slow start to the second period, Parkes made an important save to thwart away forward Rob Hall with 55 minutes played after he had made space for himself for a shot at goal following a mazy run.

Barnet doubled their advantage just before the hour mark when Bloomfield played through Powell who slotted past Parkes and found the bottom corner.

But Andy Hessenthaler’s men pulled one goal back in the 64th minute, as Cosgrave fired his effort past Oxborough from 20 yards out for his fourth goal of the season - Dover's sixth goal this term.

Substitute Ricky Miller came on and was straight into the action with 70 minutes played. His left-wing cross found fellow substitute Khale Da Costa, but he couldn’t get the better of Oxborough.

On 73 minutes, Kian Flanagan came on for Hall for Barnet and was immediately in the action himself, firing inches over Parkes’ crossbar.

The visitors had an opportunity to re-establish their two-goal lead, only for substitute Flanagan to miss the target with Dover’s goal seemingly waking the Barnet players back up.

In the final minute of five minutes of stoppage-time, a long throw from Danny Collinge was met by fellow defender Goodman whose header went straight into the grateful gloves of Oxborough.

The victory for Barnet means they are now unbeaten in four matches, while Whites remain 17 points from safety.

Dover boss Hessenthaler made four changes to his starting line-up from the side which were beaten by Aldershot on Tuesday night.

Striker Miller dropped to the bench while Henry Woods, Harry Ransom and Seth Nana Twumasi were not involved, with Drais, Goodman, Bentley and Gregory replacing the quartet. It was a first start for the club for Frenchman Drais.

Former Whites skipper Mitch Brundle, meanwhile, was involved in the Barnet side.

Dover: Parkes, Wood (Wratten 80mins), Bramble, Williamson, Cosgrave, Gregory, Arthur (Da Costa 63mins), Collinge, Goodman, Bentley (Miller 67mins), Drais. Subs not used: Bexon, Carney.

Barnet: Oxborough, Taylor, Richards-Everton, Widdowson, Thomas, Payne, Hall (Flanagan 73mins), Brundle, Powell, Bloomfield (Fonguck 80mins), Mason-Clark. Subs not used: Sargeant, Doherty, Granville.

Attendance: 885.

Ref: Tom Bishop.

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