Report

Nassim L’Ghoul’s late stunner handed Athletic all three points at York Road in wet conditions on Tuesday evening.

The substitute lashed home Bobby-Joe Taylor’s ball as Andy Hessenthaler’s made it a maximum six points from two away games.

Danny Whitehall’s free-kick had cancelled out Kurtis Cumberbatch’s early long range strike.

Jai Reason earlier saw his early twenty-yarder roll into the arms of home keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond.

Josh Smile then took aim for the hosts from a similar distance, sending the ball out of York Road and onto the adjacent houses.

Cumberbatch made no mistake when he let fly from 25 yards just minutes later.

Inih Effiong’s free-kick was deflected to the midfielder, who with one touch to control the ball, smashed his first competitive goal for Dover into the bottom corner.

In a first half of long-range efforts, Freddie Grant sent a screaming 30-yard shot wide of the mark.

Effiong then turned his marker and sent the ball narrowly over the crossbar as the visitors were unable to double their lead ahead of the half-time break.

Following the restart, Will De Havilland’s dived to head Jai Reason’s free-kick goalwards, only for Ashby-Hammond claw the ball away from the goalline.

Dover’s defence were powerless to stop the Magpie’s equaliser on the hour mark.

Whitehall curled a set-piece into the top corner from just outside the area.

Smile nearly completed the turnaround, flashing the ball just past Worgan’s post.

It was Whites’ turn to attack and Steven Rigg flicked Michael Woods’ header into the area a whisker over the crossbar.

At the other end Jake Cassidy’s angled drive took a wicked deflection, however to Worgan’s relief, flew wide of the mark.

That relief turned to celebration as Dover went ahead once again.

Taylor’s cross-field pass found sub L’Ghoul, who cut inside and fired in his first goal for Whites.

Whitehall nearly scored his second free-kick of the match, seeing Worgan beat away his goalbound strike.

The away side held on to maintain fifth spot on the league table.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made one change to the side that started at Hartlepool on Saturday with Taylor replacing the injured Josh Passley.

Athletic next host FC Halifax Town live on BT Sport on Saturday 28th September, kick off 5:20 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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