Dover’s play-off hopes suffered another blow after losing to Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night.

In-form striker Andy Cook scored the only goal of the game at Crabble in the match rearranged from earlier in the season.

Whites hopes of making it into the top seven looked more unlikely after a fourth defeat in five games.

Tranmere put Dover under early pressure with a chance falling to Andy Cook who was through on goal and made Mitch Walker save low to his left.

Whites had their first chance after 19 minutes of play when Anthony Jeffrey did well to get to the byline. His cross not dealt with and Gallifuoco followed it up with a shot that was blocked.

Cook had another chance to fire Tranmere in front but failed to get his shot on target. He brought down a long clearance, turned and shot from 25 yards but it was just wide.

Chances came Dover’s way with 10 minutes left of the first half and both went to Manny Parry. The first was from a Mitch Pinnock free-kick and his header was hacked over the bar for a corner.

From that corner Parry had the chance with another header but he couldn’t get it on target.

The visitors took the lead five minutes before half time with Andy Cook pouncing on a mistake by Manny Parry. Cook muscled the centre-back off the ball and was able to calmly slot past Walker.

An early chance fell to Connor Jennings who was played through on goal but Walker saved well to deny him. Jeffrey played a loose pass that was picked up by Tranmere that allowed the counter attack.

Cook was causing problems for Dover all evening and almost added his second after 68 minutes. He found space 30 yards from goal and tried to catch Walker out but he missed the target.

Dover struggled to create chances in the second half and never really put Scott Davies under any pressure in the Tranmere goal.

Dover: Walker, Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Brundle, Bellamy, Jeffrey (Marsh-Brown 70mins), Pinnock (Daniel 70mins), Azeez (Bird 75mins).

Subs not used: Passley, Nortey

Attendance: 1231