Report

Michael Woods’ late goal gave Whites an impressive win against league leaders Barrow in a pulsating encounter on Tuesday evening.

The midfielder smashed in sub Shadrach Ogie’s ball to move Andy Hessenthaler’s men up to eighth on the National League ladder, level on points with Notts County and Bromley in the two positions above them.

Will De Havilland had slotted the hosts ahead, but it looked like The Bluebirds would leave Crabble with a point thanks to John Rooney’s late penalty.

However Woods’ goal handed Athletic back-to-back wins, extending their unbeaten run at Crabble to four matches.

Earlier, Inih Effiong had a sight of goal after Jai Reason’s mis-kick had moved into the path of Dover’s top scorer, however the striker smashed wide from close range.

A quick counter-attack then saw Reason released out wide, with visiting stopper Joel Dixon forced to turn away the midfielder’s angled drive.

Reason instead turned provider for the opening goal.

The midfielder’s corner landed at the feet of De Havilland, leaving the centre-half with the simple task of steering the ball into the bottom corner.

Dior Angus then had a sight of goal at the other end, but blazed over from the edge of the area.

Barrow’s top scorers then combined to create their best chance of the half.

Rooney threaded through a pass for Scott Quigley to run onto, however keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, making his home debut, spread himself at the feet of the National League’s top scorer to make a vital block.

The hosts thought they had doubled their led just before the break when Effiong nodded in Bobby-Joe Tayor’s free-kick, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside.

The decision almost proved vital as Lewis Hardcastle curled just wide of the post from 20-yards following Rooney’s smart dummy.

Angus outpaced Lokko out wide and sent a low cross in the direction of the onrushing Quigley, however Josh Passley came across to divert the ball away, though a goal kick was given much to Quigley’s visible bemusement.

Striker Angus continued to cause the home side problems, this time turning his marker from Bradley Barry’s throw-in and smashing straight at Maynard-Brewer from the tightest of angle

Rooney then fired towards the bottom corner from 20-yards, a shot parried by Maynard-Brewer straight to Quigley, but the target man ran out of pitch as he tried to round Athletic’s Australian keeper.

As the pace of the game of intensified, a smart one-two with Aaron Simpson’s ended with Effiong blazing narrowly over.

Rooney then found teammate Quigley again, but the striker was off target, volleying into the side-netting with just Maynard-Brewer to beat.

The away side kept pushing and were awarded a spot kick 10 minutes from time when Ogie fouled fellow sub Byron Harrison in the area.

Rooney made no mistake from 12 yards, blasting the ball down the middle to level the scores.

But the drama was not over as Hessenthaler’s men went ahead with two minutes remaining.

Ogie’s rampaging run and teasing cross found Woods at the far post, with the midfielder lashing in his third goal of the season past Dixon.

Barrow went back on the attack with Harrison somehow getting in the way of teammate Jack Hindle’s goalbound effort.

And Dover held on to win their third win in four matches to move themselves firmly into the play-off picture.

Earlier, boss Andy Hessenthaler made one change to the side that started the 2-0 win at Stockport County on Saturday with Bobby-Joe Taylor coming in for the injured Oscar Gobern.

Ricky Modeste and Shadrach Ogie returned from injury and illness respectively and were named as substitutes.

Whites will next travel to Eastleigh on Saturday 15th February.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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