KINNEAR HAILS HIS WHITE KNIGHTS

DOVER boss Chris Kinnear praised his side’s character as they extended their unbeaten run to five matches against struggling Torquay United.

The Gulls had boosted their survival prospects with a 4-0 win over Maidenhead United on Tuesday night but they were brought back down to earth by the Whites, who came away with three points courtesy of goals by Paul Lewis and Ryan Bird.

“That’s probably as good as we’ve played for a while, we’ve created so many good chances,” said Kinnear. “It was difficult because they have got a little bit of spirit about them now, but the boys stood up to it.”

Gulls boss Gary Owers was frustrated that his side failed to build on their midweek exploits, adding: “I wasn’t happy with the performance and I don’t want to be someone who says every time we get beat we played poorly.

“I have to do whatever I can to get the club out of this situation and I will; I won’t wait another four or five weeks for players to show me what they can do – I need it now.”

Dover edged ahead in the fifth minute when Lewis turned home a cross from Mitch Pinnock.

Pinnock then nearly found the target himself with a shot from the left which hit the post and bounced clear.

Two minutes later, Lewis had an effort ruled out for off-side and later received a yellow card for arguing with the linesman who awarded the decision.

United threatened an equaliser when Luke Young tested Mitch Walker with an in-swinging free-kick that the Dover keeper gathered comfortably.

And the Gulls were duly punished on 64 minutes when a swift counter attack led to top-scorer Bird nodding home a cross from Jamie Allen for his sixth goal of the season.

Former Gulls defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco almost added a third for Dover as he headed a corner from substitute Kadell Daniel against the post.