Convert as fired-up Dover channel goals

two minutes when they did just that.

Pinnock combined with Nortei Nortey on the left side and broke into the box, beating Scott Loach at his near post with an early left-foot finish.

Bird almost doubled the lead on 10 minutes shooting just wide after another good Dover passing move down the left flank.

Pools had Loach to thank for keeping it at 1-0 when Manny Parry got his head to Athletic’s first corner in the 19th minute only to see the goalie save it on to his left stick.

Dover’s advantage was doubled in the 25th minute.

Anthony Jeffrey broke clear of a stumbling Louis Laing to cross for Pinnock who tapped home at from a couple of yards.

The rest of the first half belonged to Pools, with Rhys Oates having a shot blocked and Mitch Walker saving smartly from a Liam Donnelly shot.

There was no shortage of corners – five – but no goals.

It was a similar story after the break, with Harrison bringing on Tomi Adeloye, briefly a former Dover player, just after the hour.

At least he brought a save out of Walker, who gathered low to his left after the sub got on the end of a quick Carl Magnay throw.

Pools were killed off 11 minutes from time after sub Kadell Daniel teased and tormented down the left before crossing for Bird to head home from the six-yard box.

To add to the woes, Deverdics was red-carded for a challenge on old Dover team-mate Connor Essam. It looked a collision more than anything but referee Richard Hulme signalled it was for an elbow.

While the nearby away fans reacted angrily, the home support gave their former midfield star Deverdics warm applause.

To put the cap on a miserable Pools day, there was a fourth goal in stoppage time when Bird converted Pinnock’s cross for his 11th goal of the season.