Keith Scott challenges at Manor Park.

Dover Athletic lost their third consecutive Conference game against Nuneaton at Manor Park on Saturday, bringing to an end their 100% record against the Midlands club. The pattern of the match was similar to Tuesday's defeat at Barnet with the Whites defence under relentless pressure and attacking moments rare.

Since that game at Underhill in midweek, striker Danny Hockton has left the Whites and Leyton Orient midfielder David Parsons has come in on a month's loan. Parsons went straight into the starting line-up at the expense of left-back Steve Norman, with Jake Leberl dropping back.

The first incident of note was Jimmy Strouts earning the fastest yellow card of the day in England, going into the referee's book after just 24 seconds of play. Surely a new personal record for the tough-tackling midfield man? The offence was a foul on Barry Williams, a player who has a bit of a history in this fixture, having been involved in an ugly incident with Jake Leberl two seasons ago which resulted in both players being dismissed.

Despite the pressure from the home side, Dover held out for over an hour, with goalkeeper Paul Hyde in particularly fine form. Thackeray vollyed wide for the home team midway through the half and soon after Hyde made an excellent save from Whitehall's volley.

Hyde was called into action again when he had to make a double save from Marc MacGregor. The ex-Forest Green forward's third attempt cleared the bar.

When Nuneaton did eventually beat Hyde, through Thackeray's chip just before the interval, Colin Vowden was on the line to clear the danger.

Dover started brightly in the second half with Jamie Day's 25-yard free-kick forcing a low save from Chris MacKenzie. Niall Inman had a looping header drift over the bar before setting up Jimmy Strouts who missed from six yards.

However, as against Telford last weekend, Dover's best period of pressure immediately preceeded them conceeding the opening goal. On 67 minutes MacGregor fed Whitehall who shot across Hyde from 15 yards to open the scoring.

Hyde denied Nuneaton twice more before they doubled their lead 10 minutes later. Sykes was found himself unmarked as Peake delivered a free-kick into the area and the hit the ball into the bottom corner.

Athletic had chances to get back into contention. Chris MacKenzie matched Hyde's heroics at the other end when he pushed Elliot's free-kick wide before making a fine low save from a Keith Scott effort.

The misery was compounded for the Whites a minute from time as Nuneaton found the net for the third time. Hyde made an excellent save from Whitehall's chip but Thackeray was the first to react and scored from six yards.

The Whites will be hoping that the debut of Tommy Tyne on Monday will address their goalscoring problems, whilst the imminent return of Matt Carruthers, and also in a few weeks time Neil Le Bihan, will be a welcome boost in midfield.

Colin Vowden.

Niall Inman.

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