HAT-TRICK HERO RICKY SIGNS OFF IN FINE STYLE

RICKY Miller provided more proof why he’s been named the National League Player of the Season.

The much-vaunted Dover Athletic striker rattled in another hat-trick to earn a victory over Barrow – but it wasn’t enough to steer the Whites into the play-off places after Aldershot beat Braintree.

Barrow – who themselves went close to making the top five – went ahead in the 20th minute through Jordan Williams when he ran the full length of the field before cutting in from the left to score.

But just two minutes later Dover were level when 28year-old Miller expertly pulled the ball down and blasted it home.

The National League’s top scorer then fired Dover ahead from the penalty spot on 47 minutes after he forced Danny Livesey into a foul as he headed towards goal.

Barrow were not finished as Moussa Diarra put them level in the 67th minute when the ball came back in the box from a partially cleared corner, and he headed home.

And then Miller took his total for the season to 40 in added-on time as he outpaced Livesey and calmly beat keeper Jon Flatt.

Miller certainly impressed Barrow boss Paul Cox. “There was a striker who is destined to play League football,” Cox said.

“His quality at this level stood out like a sore thumb.

“I have just said to him I hope he gets everything he wants in the summer because he is a fabulous footballing talent. “All three goals might have looked simple, but the technique was great.” And Cox added: “It has been a fabulous season for us and we are a year ahead of ourselves, but the base and the restructuring has been laid. “Our inadequacies today were our inadequacies all season. But there is a good feeling of optimism. “My chat yesterday with the chairman was the most positive I have had and he knows what needs to be done now. “He knows the fundamentals of how we can improve and become stronger.” Ultimately, Barrow’s hopes of a play-off place were dashed after being held to a 2-2 draw to Macclesfield on Tuesday night – a game which also robbed him of defender Bondz N’Gala and midfield ace Ricky Modeste here. Kinnear, however, was in good spirits afterwards, adding: “I was really pleased with our lads today. “We try to play attractive football to please the fans and we expect to score goals because we create a lot of chances. “Ricky has done great for us over the past two seasons. We play to our strengths and he wants to do well for the team. “Of course we have to be disappointed with a sixth-place finish, but it is amazing when you think two season ago we finished eighth and then made the play-offs last season.”