Dover lost their fourth National League match in a row after a 2-1 defeat at home to Barnet on Saturday.

A second half fight back was not enough to get Whites back into the match after conceding twice in the first 45 minutes.

Byron Harrison took full advantage of defensive mistakes from Dover in the first half to put Barnet 2-0 up at the break.

Mitch Brundle scored with a header midway through the second half but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

Earlier in the match, Chris Kinnear made three changes from the side that lost 3-0 at Leyton Orient with new signings George Smith and Ntumba Massanka coming in along with Nortei Nortey for Anthony Jeffrey, Kadell Daniel and Jack Connors.

Dover’s defensive problems were evident in the open minutes of the match when they allowed Barnet striker Byron Harrison too much space in the box.

Harrison was able to get away from his man in the fourth minute and finished well to give the away side a 1-0 lead.

Whites settled into the game after the early setback but struggled to create chances upfront.

Poor defending from Dover saw them concede a second in the 26th minute.

Connor Essam failed to clear and led to Jack Taylor being played through on goal but Mitch Walker saved well from his close range effort. Barnet piled forward and the ball was worked back into the box and Harrison added his second from five yards out.

Dover’s first effort on target came in the 35th minute when Tim Schmoll had a headed effort saved by Barnet goalkeeper Mark Cousins.

New signing George Smith took a free-kick from the right that went straight into the wall. The ball was played back into the box towards Schmoll who could not generate enough power on the header.

Mitch Walker made a good save from a Charlee Adams shot that came through a crowded penalty box to keep the score at 2-0 in the 53rd minute.

Skipper Mitch Brundle gave Whites a lifeline after heading in from close range in the 65th minute.

Passley put in a good cross from the right and Brundle was free in the middle to head home to make it 2-1.

Dover were applying the pressure on Barnet and substitute Anthony Jeffrey had a good chance in the 73rd minute.

A cross from Allen bounced up and Jeffrey’s shot on the volley hit the side netting.

Mark Cousins made a good save to deny Brundle directly from a free-kick in the 75th minute. The midfielder’s free-kick was heading for the bottom right corner when the Barnet goalkeeper pushed the ball wide.

Barnet had a chance to wrap up the points with seven minutes remaining on the clock when Cheye Alexander’s shot hit the post and deflected out.

Dover: Walker, Passley, Smith, Essam, Schmoll, Lokko (Diarra 44mins), Nortey (Jeffrey 63mins), Brundle, Tajbakhsh, Allen, Massanka (Effiong 63mins).

Subs not used: Daniel, Connors.

Attendance: 1,037