Report

Frank Mulhern’s spectacular first-half goal saw Dover lose for the fifth time at Crabble this season.

The Hatter’s forward volleyed in from 35-yards in wet and windy conditions to leave Andy Hessenthaler’s men without a win in four league matches.

Ash Palmer tried to put the visitors ahead early on with a diving header, however the defender slipped as he made contact with the ball with home stopper Yusuf Mersin saving easily.

Another defender then had an effort for County.  Sam Minihan was teed up by Mulhern, only for Mersin to dive onto the ball.

Kevin Lokko then volleyed Jack Munns’ corrner goalwards, only to see his shot bounce inches past the wrong side of the post.

Dover’s skipper was unable to try and add to his goal tally for the afternoon, hobbling off following a challenge and replaced by Anthony Jeffrey.

Tom Walker then unleashed a spectacular 30-yard dipping volley that the visiting support thought had flown in, however the cheers soon evaporated when it was known the attempt had been off-target.

But Stockport and Mulhern had better luck with an effort from an even further distance than the last.

The Hatters’ forward went for goal from 40-yards and the ball flew over Mersin and bounced into the roof of the net.

Athletic’s stopper was called into action again five minutes before the break, stopper Tom Walker’s shot with his legs after the midfielder had been played in by Mulhern.

Walkers namesake Sam then sent a volley the wrong side of the post and following the restart, Inih Effiong headed sub Jeffrey’s swirling cross at Hinchcliffe.

County’s keeper then pushed away Bobby-Joe Taylor’s swirling free-kick and at the other end, Mersin grabbed onto Festus Arthur’s header from a corner.

Jai Reason sent an effort whizzing past the top left-hand corner of Hinchcliffe’s goal.

Things went from bad to worse for Whites’ when Will De Havilland went off injured nine minutes from time.

And Dover’s misery was nearly compounded two minutes from time when Arthur headed towards goal, only for Taylor to kick the ball off the line.

Mersin made a late double save to deny both subs Nyal Bell and Elliott Osborne, however Athletic were unable to muster a late equaliser.

Hessenthaler had made two changes to the side that started at Weymouth last week in the FA Cup, with Kurtis Cumberbatch and Jack Munns replacing the injured duo Joe Bedford and Nassim L’Ghoul.

Whites next host Eastleigh on Tuesday 29th October, kick off 7:45 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

STOCKPORT COUNTY REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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