Dover Athletic v Tranmere Rovers

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Details

Date Time League Season Attendance Dover Star Player Away Scorers
17th April 2018 7:45 pm National League 2017-2018 1,231 Manny Parry Cook (39)

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DOVER’S play-off hopes hang in the balance following a narrow defeat to fellow promotion chasers Tranmere at Crabble on Tuesday night.

Andy Cook capitalised on Manny Parry’s error six minutes before the break and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, in spite of Connor Essam’s attempts to clear the ball off the line.

And Cook could have added to his tally of 25 goals this season earlier in the match, racing through on goal within seconds of the kick-off, but Mitch Walker was equal to the National League’s top scorer’s low drive.

Cook and strike partner James Norwood then combined with the latter seeing his strike blocked by Essam.

Visiting stopper Scott Davies misjudged a free kick into the area, but his backline spared the keeper’s blushes after the ball flew over the former Fleetwood Town man’s head.

Livewire Cook almost stunned the home crowd, turning his man and curling inches wide from 25-yards.

And at the other end, Parry skied from over close range following a corner and the same player rose highest to meet Mitch Pinnock’s cross but nodded over.

But it was Cook who opened the scoring and Rovers almost doubled their lead following the restart.

Connor Jennings sprinted clear but was unable to find a way past Walker.

Cook could only direct Larnell Cole’s cross into Walker’s arms and James Norburn’s 20-yard rocket had Athletic’s stopper scrambling across his goal.

And hotshot forward Cook went for glory from distance after Norwood nodded the ball into his path, missing the far post by inches.

Athletic pressed for a leveller but were unable to find a way past a resolute Rovers defence.  The loss sees Whites drop once place to ninth in the standings, three points outside the playoffs.

Earlier boss Kinnear made one change to the side that started at Maidenhead on Saturday.  Azeez replaced Ryan Bird, who started as a substitute.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

TRANMERE ROVERS REACTION

Dover Athletic

1Mitch Walker Goalkeeper
4Giancarlo Gallifuoco Defender
5Manny Parry Defender
6Connor Essam Defender
26Kevin Lokko Defender
3Femi Ilesanmi Defender
8Private: Mitch Brundle Midfielder, (c)
28Liam Bellamy Midfielder
25Anthony Jeffrey 23 Forward 44'
11Mitchell Pinnock 29 Forward
30Ade Azeez 17 Forward
2Josh Passley Defender
17Ryan Bird 30 Forward Azeez 73'
18Nortei Nortey Midfielder
23Kadell Daniel 25 Forward Jeffrey 70'
29Keanu Marsh-Brown 11 Midfielder Pinnock 70'
  3 1

First Team Manager: Chris Kinnear

Tranmere Rovers

1Scott Davies Goalkeeper
2Adam Buxton Defender 44'
4Ritchie Sutton Defender
5Steve McNulty Defender, (c)
3Liam Ridehalgh Defender 64'
15Ollie Norburn Midfielder
11Connor Jennings Midfielder
24Jeff Hughes Midfielder 39'
29Larnell Cole 8 Midfielder
10James Norwood Forward
9Andy Cook Forward 39'
8Jay Harris 29 Midfielder Cole 83'
18Josh Ginnelly Defender
19Andy Mangan Forward
22Rhys Taylor Goalkeeper
31Eddie Clarke Defender
  1 1 1 2

First Team Manager: Micky Mellon

Substitutions
3
1
Goals
0
1
Assists
0
1
Yellow Cards
1
2
Red Cards
0
0

Officials

RefereeReferee's AssistantsFourth Official
David RockDamith Bandara
Ricky Adams
Isaac Searle

Ground

Crabble Athletic Ground
40 Crabble Rd, Dover, Kent CT17 0QJ, UK