Dover Athletic went into this match knowing that it was a game they had to win. Gary Bellamy's side did exactly what was required of them and earned all three points with a thoroughly professional performance.

After the ineffective display at Woking on Tuesday, Gary Bellamy reshuffled his pack and fielded a side that was clearly designed to improve Athletic's disappointing defensive record. The Whites boss made the brave decision to drop Lee Shearer, Tommy Tyne and John Elliott to the bench as he switched to a 4-5-1 formation. Southend defender Gareth Risbridger, signed on a month's loan on Friday, went straight into the side in central midfield where he was joined by Darren Davies, who had played at left wing-back in Dover's two previous games, and Jimmy Strouts. In the absence of Neil Le Bihan this trio provided a solid platform in midfield with Matt Carruthers and Chris Allen providing the width and Keith Scott up front alone. At the back Steve Norman and Chris Dorrian returned to the side to fill the full-back berths. Goalkeeper Phil Smith was making his home debut.

Darren Davies' switch from full-back to central midfield has made Dover harder break down.

Dover started brightly but Keith Scott's close range header that went wide of the back post was the only serious effort on either goal in the opening half hour. At the back Dover looked far more assured than in recent games. Jake Leberl was once again in fine form and, after sitting out Tuesday's defeat, the two full-backs looked as if they had a point to prove, both putting in their best performances of the season.

Five minutes before the interval Keith Scott gave Dover the lead with his eighth goal of the season. Scott managed to get ahead of everybody else to head Matt Carruthers' corner into the back of the net off the inside of the post. The visitors disputed the goal, claiming handball but after consulting with his assistant the referee pointed to the centre spot.

New keeper Phil Smith had an impressive home debut, winning the sponsors' man-of-the-match award.

The Vics had their best spell at the begining of the second half but with Dover's midfield sitting deep to protect the defence, they were unable to find a way past Phil Smith in the Whites' goal. Smith capped his home debut with an acrobatic save from Garvey's well-struck shot that was heading for the top corner.

Having weathered the early storm Dover came back at the visitors with Carruthers and Chris Allen breaking down the flanks. It was these two that combined to create Dover's second in the 75th minute to put the game beyond Northwich. Jimmy Strouts started the move with a ball from midfield. Keith Scott's brilliant back-heel released Carruthers who brought the ball down well and advanced on goal. He shaped to shoot but instead rolled the ball into the path of Allen who was overlapping on the left and the former Nottingham Forest winger thumped an unstoppable low drive into the far corner of the net from an acute angle.

Allen was unable to finish the match and limped off in stoppage time. After receiving some rough treatment all afternoon, Gary Burke's challenge was too much and he had to be helped from the pitch.

From somewhere the referee found nearly ten minutes of stoppage time at the end of the match and Northwich took advantage to deny Smith his first Dover cleansheet. Gibson's long ball was collected by Blundell and he did well in the box before beating Smith with a low drive.

This result moves Dover back off the bottom of the table, up into 20th position. On Monday evening Dagenham & Redbridge, currently five points clear at the top of the table, visit Crabble for what will be another tough test for the Whites.

Chris Allen is already a fans' favourite after only three games for the club.

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