SUB L’GHOUL SAVES DAY AFTER LOKKO OWN GOAL

IT WAS all square in the National League’s only game of the day as both sides ended Saturday with a point that did neither club any favours in their quest to break into the play-off picture.

Mercurial Frenchman Nassim L’Ghoul came off the bench to salvage a point for Andy Hessenthaler’s men, who had been behind for the majority of the game following Kevin Lokko’s early own goal.

Visiting keeper Mitch Beeney had kept Dover at bay with some crucial saves, but the former England Under 19 man slipped as he stretched to reach L’Ghoul’s last-gasp shot, an effort that rolled in via the far post.

The hosts almost completed an unbelievable turnaround via fellow substitute

Steven Rigg,

Gus Mafuta heading a corner into the former Gateshead striker with the ball bouncing agonisingly over the crossbar.

Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler was quick to praise the impact ofhis three of his substitutes.

“They made the goal,” said Hessenthaler. “It was a great turn by Rigg and Ade [Yussuf] slipped it through to L’Ghoul to finish. We had to make some changes and that is what subs are there to do.

“We deserved something from the match but overall I am not happy with the performance. We got into some great positions in their half but lacked any real quality.

“I am disappointed as we should have won.”

Ricky Modeste almost had Athletic in front when he nodded Taylor’s corner goalwards, only for Beeney to stick out a giant glove to stop the ball going in.

Lee Worgan had no such luck at the other end after Lokko could only divert Gavan Holohan’s swirling cross into his own net.

Dover’s stopper fared better moments later with his legs when he saved Mafuta’s stinging drive.

Ryan Donaldson and Will De Havilland both went close for their respective teams, sending headers wide of the mark.

Beeney saved his best until near the end, diving low to keep out Effiong following a sharp turn and snapshot by Dover’s top marksmen.

However, Beeney could not keep up the heroics for the full 90 minutes as L’Ghoul’s bobbling shot rolled past his fingertips. Much like his counterpart, Hartlepool boss Dave Challinor was also a frustrated figure at full-time.

“Three points could have made a big difference in terms of the table. Our defensive performance was pretty complete and we defended corners really well.

“We allowed ourselves to drop to deep and we have come undone in injury time.

“I hope this is not one that we look back on at the end of the season and pinpoint as the match that cost us.”