Whites finally broke their run of six defeats with a very hard-fought win, against a team that belied their current bottom of the table placing. Caretaker manager Gary Whittle inspired the team to produce a fine performance that showed the travelling fans that there are still reasons to be optimistic, despite the current place at second-bottom in the league.

Whittle was clearly unable to make wholesale changes to the side, after only being given the caretaker role on Saturday evening. However, he recalled James Farrier and Shane Hamshare to the starting line, and chose to play with only one man up-front. This game plan was clearly to get a draw from the game, so that we could then build on that and move forward. Therefore Shaun Welford was left to ply his trade alone up-front, after Craig Wilkins injured himself on Saturday.

Listening to Whittle talking to the players as they were warming up, he used the words "passion, desire, care" as he tried to get across what this football club means to many people. Fortunately, the players seemed to take heed of the caretaker's comments, and the Whites started the game with these words firmly in their mind. Welford was the first to make an impression, as he made a strong bursting run forward, but covering defender Matt Bradfield curtailed his efforts.

Kingstonian had the better chances of the first period however, and were unlucky not to go ahead ten minutes in, when Richard Taylor headed just over. Although Tom Hickman had a good drive deflected just wide of the post, it was still the K's that were creating the better opportunities. Dean Lodge saw a volley sail marginally over the bar as a corner was headed clear to him, then a dangerous free kick fizzed straight across the face of the goal. However, no attacker was able to get the telling touch, to the relief of the healthy band of travelling Whites.

Whites were still coming forward though, and home keeper Lance Key was forced to make a good save as Cloke headed a Carruthers free kick goalwards. Defender Dean Souyana then tried to clear the ball, but drove it straight into his keeper's face, and the ball went away to safety. Minutes before the interval, Matt Pattison was unlucky when he saw his shot blocked, but the match remained goalless at halftime.

The home side began the second period well, and should have gone ahead when Pattison headed over onto the top of the bar. The right winger, who was eventually given the man-of-the-match award, then shot wide when he basically had an open goal, though the angle was extremely tight, as the K's pushed forward.

Soon after the hour mark, Whites began to create chances that could have seen them take the lead. Cloke produced a trademark long throw, but Welford's header was well saved by the home keeper. Cloke himself then tried to get his name on the scoresheet, with an overhead kick that went wide. He then saw his header from a floated free kick well saved by Lance Key, who was having a good game between the sticks when he was not appealing for Dover players to be booked.

The K's were again unlucky though, when another free kick was dangerously drilled across the face of the goal, but the final ten minutes belonged to the Whites. John Scarborough, who had another outstanding game in the centre of defence, had a corner cleared off his head as he looked certain to score the winner. Shane Hamshare then headed and volleyed over as he had two chances in injury time, but the game ended on level terms.

This was a really strong performance by the Whites, and on the strength of this display, there is definite reason to be optimistic about the future. The more pressing matter of the current financial situation is clearly going to put playing matters on the back burner, but if this can be sorted out, then hopefully the team will be able to continue in the fashion shown here at Kingsmeadow and begin to pick up much-needed points.

Kingstonian:
Lance Key, Frazer Muscat, Dean Souyana, Richard Taylor, Matt Bradford (Jon Coke, 51mins), Giles Coke, Liam Collins, Matt Pattison, Elliot Onochie, Greg Ball (Reggie Savage, 68mins), Dean Lodge.
Subs:
Bernard Asante, Jon Coke, Mark Rhodes, Reggie Savage, Martyn Williams.
Bookings:
Liam Collins (69mins)

Dover Athletic:
Paul Hyde, James Farrier, Nick Humphrey, John Scarborough, Dean Readings, Tom Hickman, Shane Hamshare, Craig Cloke, Shaun Welford (Michael Smissen, 80mins), Matt Carruthers, James Rogers.
Subs:
Chris Wright, Michael Smissen, Ricky Spiller, Dale Skelton, Tim Austin.
Bookings:
James Farrier (25mins), Shane Hamshare (37mins), Shaun Welford (45mins), Craig Cloke (67mins)

Attendance: 311