PREVIEW: DAFC V GATESHEAD

PREVIEW: DAFC V GATESHEAD

*BS*Dover Athletic look to make it a double against Gateshead as they take on the Tynesiders in their latest Vanarama Conference fixture at Crabble on Saturday.*BF*

After suffering a seven-match winless run in all competitions, Whites secured back-to-back victories for the first time since January with 2-0 and 2-1 wins against Kidderminster Harriers and Altrincham respectively.

Although they cannot move any higher up than their current position of tenth in the table after the weekend, a win will move Chris Kinnear’s side within four points of their 7th placed opponents.

But victory for the Heed could move the visitors to just three points below the play-offs and put a dent on Dover’s faint play-off hopes.

*Lpic1**BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Manager Kinnear is expected to name the same side that has started each of the previous three games – including the two victories over Kidderminster and Altrincham within the last seven days.

Colchester United loanee Dan Holman is still doubtful with an ankle injury he picked up following the 3-1 defeat at Aldershot Town earlier this month.

Holman has scored two goals in three appearances for Dover and is initially with the club until the end of the season.

*BS*MORE ON THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Gateshead have been playing in the Conference since 2009 after securing promotion through the Conference North play-offs which contained Alfreton, AFC Telford United and Southport, who have all gained promotion to the Conference since.

*Lpic2*Football League participants between 1930 and 1960, the Tynesiders were close to a return to it last season after falling just short against Cambridge in the Conference play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

The Heed are challenging for promotion into League 2 once again this season as, although they lay six points below the play-offs, they do have two games in hand over 5th-placed Forest Green Rovers.

On a three-game unbeaten run, Gateshead will prove difficult opposition for Dover at Crabble this Saturday as they hold the fourth best away record in the division.

*BS*HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD*BF*
Dover are aiming for their first win against Gateshead at Crabble since September 1993 when a brace from Corey Browne and a Dave Leworthy goal helped Whites to a 3-1 win.

Whites are without a victory in their last four league meetings against the Tynesiders at Crabble since, with the last being a 1-0 loss in March 1998.

But Chris Kinnear’s side did record *Link1* at the Gateshead International Stadium back in November, when goals from Stefan Payne and Sean Francis gave the travelling 80 fans a day to remember.

*Ppic1**BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE FIXTURES*BF*
*BS**IS*Friday 20 March 2015*IF**BF*
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town

*BS**IS*Saturday 21 March 2015*IF**BF*
Alfreton Town v Chester
Altrincham v FC Halifax Town
Barnet v Welling United
Grimsby Town v Eastleigh
Macclesfield Town v Nuneaton Town
Southport v Dartford
Torquay United v Kidderminster Harriers
Woking v Forest Green Rovers
Wrexham v Lincoln City