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Stuart Lewis scored two minutes from time to earn Dover a 1-0 win over Aldershot Town to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
Andy Hessenthaler's men had to contend with a determined second half display from goalkeeper Jake Cole as they celebrated securing National League safety with a victory.
Aldershot had a glorious chance to take the lead six minutes from time when Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong wasted a one-on-one opportunity to sum up his side's season.
Emmanuel Adebowale was handed his first start since November's FA Cup defeat to Bury as one of four changes made to the team that beat Barrow 3-2.
Nortey Nortei and Josh Debayo also played from the off while Anthony Jeffrey returned to the first eleven after coming off the bench to score last time out.
Jamie Allen squandered a chance in the first minute as he broke in behind the opposition defence before hitting his shot wide after a poor first touch.
Dover went close again moments later when Kevin Lokko skied an effort from close range, warranting ironic smiles from the defender upon his walk back to the halfway line.
The visitors' first opportunity of the game came in the 10th minute, with Rollin Menayese rising to meet a corner but heading over Lee Worgan's crossbar.
Effiong, searching for his first goal since Boxing Day, then drilled in a shot from the edge of the box which was well-blocked and swiftly cleared as the Dover players closed in on the rebound.
Worgan was expertly-positioned to beat Reece Grant to a ball over the top but almost found himself in trouble minutes later when his clearance landed at the feet of Mensah, who couldn't take advantage of a momentarily open goal.
An untidy opening 30 minutes for the hosts was somewhat typified when Effiong and Bobby-Joe Taylor found themselves tangled up as both went for the same ball to scupper a counterattack.
Taylor was afforded arguably the best chance of the half when his header flew back across goal after Jeffrey had showcased blistering speed to breeze beyond his marker and put in a cross.
Aldershot started the second half the brighter of the sides, with John Goddard's volley forcing an important save from Worgan.
Jeffrey led a response from Whites as he intercepted a loose pass to launch a counterattack, only to see his blocked shot fall to Effiong who couldn't turn his effort goalbound while on the swivel.
Grant then threatened at the other end for Aldershot when his shot deflected off Debayo and onto the post.
Dover hit back with an excellent team move that ended in Effiong being denied at close range by a superb reaction stop from goalkeeper Cole.
Cole produced another stunning save later in the half to tip Nortei's dipping strike over the bar for a corner, resulting in Aldershot breaking forward only to be let down by Adam McDonnell's miscontrol.
An end-to-end game saw Allen denied in a one-on-one with Cole after quick thinking from substitute Alfie Pavey on a free-kick, before Lewis had a shot blocked on the line after meeting Jeffrey's pull back.
Kadell Daniel, also introduced in the second half, was next to create a sighting of goal as he watched his shot on the turn roll just wide of the far post.
Berkeley-Agyepong should have put Aldershot ahead in the 84th minute when he came off second best in his one-on-one situation with Worgan.
Dover's persistence eventually paid dividends when Lewis pounced on a rebound to turn the ball home and earn his side all three points two minutes before the end.
Dover: Worgan, Brundle, Lokko, Adebowale, Debayo (Daniel 66mins), Taylor, Lewis, Nortei, Jeffrey, Allen, Effiong (Pavey 66mins). Subs not used: Walker, Schmoll, Reason.
Aldershot: Cole, McDonnell, Bernard (Arnold 71mins), Rowe, Gallagher, Mensah (Kinsella 45mins), Berkeley-Agyepong, Menayese, Finney (Elokobi 59mins), Grant, Goddard. Subs not used: Hall, McDonagh.
Attendance: 1,348.
