Dover climbed to fourth in the table with a relatively comfortable derby win at Welling on Saturday.

Goals in either half from Ricky Modeste and outstanding skipper Nick Deverdics proved the difference at Park View Road as goalshy Welling dropped into the National League relegation zone.

Even a grandstand stoppage-time spell when Welling hit the bar and scored failed to take the gloss off Dover's afternoon.

A frenetic start saw opening at both ends in the opening 10 minutes. Michael Bakare's cross failed to match his approach work for Welling while the lively Stefan Payne was denied by keeper Michael McEntegart at the other end.

Welling were the masters of their own downfall on 13 minutes. No communication between Ben Jefford and Kevin Lokko saw them go to clear the same ball. Having clattered into each other, they were both grounded as Ricky Modeste took on the loose ball and confidently fired low beyond McEntegart.

Dover's front three of Modeste, Ricky Miller and Payne were proving a handful and Welling's cause was not helped when Lokko came off injured as a result of clattering into Jefford. His repacement Zach Fagan failed to see the half out, however, coming off in stoppage time with a groin injury.

By then Dover could have been out of sight. But they had not counted on McEntegart being in such inspired form.

The Wings keeper tipped over Miller's left-foot shot, saved with his feet to deny Modeste and then turned a Miller near-post header over.

The outstanding Deverdics continued to pull the strings in midfield while Dover's only concern was keeping Welling's George Porter quiet and Aswad Thomas certainly had his hands full in the opening half.

Welling threatened just before the break, Sam Magri collected a booking for a cynical foul on Bakare while Porter's volley on the stroke of half-time was deflected behind for a corner.

After the break Welling switched to 3-5-2 and it immediately had an impact as they found more time and space on the ball.

But their lack of firepower was evident as while they had plenty of pressure they were unable to find a way through.

The tireless Porter headed across the face of goal, three corners in quick succession failed to find a way through and Dover then looked dangerous on the break.

It was no surprise that Deverdics delievered the killer goal on 68 minutes. Payne's pull back left the skipper with a simple tap-in.

A stronger referee than Stephen Ross would have handed out many more yellow cards to Dover but instead he opted for a chat with Deverdics on more than one occasion.

Sam Magri drew another fine save from McEntegart with 12 minutes to go while Parkinson's far-post header was diverted wide.

Welling nearly scored when Vidal's cross set up Barney Williams, whose diving header came back off the crossbar.

They finally netted four minutes into stoppages when Corne bundled the ball in at the second attempt.

Welling: McEntegart, Jefford, Chambers, Porter, Wellard, Lokko (Fagan 19mins, Nortey 45mins), Corne, Harris, Williams, Vidal, Bakare (Kabba 66mins). Subs not used: St.Aimie, Gagliardi.

Dover: Rafferty, Magri, Raggett, Orlu, Modeste, Miller (Ajala 81mins), Sterling, Deverdics, Parkinson, Thomas, Payne (Murphy 79mins). Subs not used: Ofori-Acheampong, Grimes, Pinnock.

Attendance: 1,006.