Apart from travel problems that led to a delayed kick-off at Haig Avenue, Dover's trip to Southport on Saturday went entirely to plan as the Whites collected maximum points from an away day for the first time this season.

Gary Bellamy has made several changes to the Athletic squad in recent months but it was two players with nearly 400 Whites appearances and over 50 goals between them, rather than the new talent, that scored the goals to lift Dover off the foot of the table.

Matt Carruthers and Jimmy Strouts are no strangers to scrapping at the wrong end of the table having helped Athletic avoid relegation on more than one occasion in the mid-1990s and their first goals of the season were enough to seal a first away win since April. This result was not achieved by two players however, it was a team performance, from Phil Smith in goal to Keith Scott up front, everyone played their part.

Southport started brightly, particularly new signing Phil Eastwood, and forced two early saves from Smith but Dover survived and took the lead in the 26th minute. Robertson fouled Carruthers and from the resultant free-kick, delivered by Darren Davies, Carruthers headed past Dickinson from close range.

Southport continued to create chances, the closest of which was cleared off the line by Davies. In the second period Dover troubled the home side with several counter-attacks and Carruthers and Scott both went close.

20 minutes from time Jimmy Strouts capitalised on hesitancy in the Southport defence to put the result beyond doubt with a well taken goal, his 36th in Dover colours.

Southport repeatedly applied pressure on the Dover defence in the closing stages but Colin Vowden and Jake Leberl were in fine form to ensure Phil Smith kept his first cleansheet for Athletic.

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