Gillingham drew a blank at Conference Premier Dover on Tuesday night.

Brennan Dickenson and Doug Loft had efforts well saved by Dover keeper Mitch Walker either side of the break.

But Sean Raggett headed the hosts infront midway through the second half and it proved to be the winning goal.

It had been a frustrating first 45 minutes for Gillingham as hard-working Dover pressed well.

Gills manager Peter Taylor gave centre-back Kortney Hause a first start for the club, just a day after signing him from Wolves.

Hause partnered John Egan in a defence that included former Sunderland right-back Liam Marrs, playing on trial.

Joe Martin was able to shake off an ankle injury to play left-back and the Gills defence were made to work hard. Dover tested them with several early set-pieces.

The Gills dominated the first half possession but only on a few occasions were they able to unlock the Dover door.

Jermaine McGlashan put an effort narrowly over and Joe Martin also curled a free-kick the wrong side of the crossbar.

Dover striker Nathan Elder continued to work Hause hard and the front-man came close himself, after chesting the ball down. Moments before that former Gills youngster Tom Murphy had fired wide.

Gills’ best effort of the half came just before the whistle when Loft picked out Dickenson and his low shot was turned wide by keeper Walker.

An early chance in the second half fell to Cody McDonald, following a Danny Kedwell flick, but defender Sean Raggett blocked after the keeper was beaten.

Another former Gill, Craig Stone, had the ball in the net for Dover , with a low drive, but the linesman’s flag was up to deny him the opening goal.

With an hour gone Loft’s vicious shot was turned over the bar by Dover keeper but it was Dover who took the lead shortly after. Barry Cogan’s cross was turned in with a powerful header from Raggett - a Gills supporter.

Kedwell played in McDonald again with nine minutes left but an attempted lob was held by Walker.

Dover, who had drawn with Colchester in their last outing, were able to boast a well-earned win against the Gills.

Gillingham: Nelson, Marrs (McKain 79mins), Martin (Pearce 73mins), Egan, Hause, McGlashan, Hessenthaler (Staunton 88mins), Loft, Dickenson (Romeo 73mins), Kedwell (c), McDonald. Sub not used: Hadler.

Dover: Walker, Stone, Wynter, Sterling, Raggett, Orlu, Modeste (Payne 65mins), Lock (Deverdics 63mins), Elder (Reid 46mins), Bellamy (Cogan 63mins), Murphy (Nanetti 46mins). Subs not used: Francis, Hook, Kinnear, Goulding, Miller.