The emergence of Mitch Pinnock has been one of the real plusses of Dover’s season so far and Jake Leberl says the 22-year-old has made the most of his opportunity.

The striker has been in and around the Whites first team since joining last season but Saturday’s National League game against Chester was the fifth in a row he has started.

He capped an excellent display with the pivotal second goal in a 4-0 win - a fine low drive from the edge of the box - and assistant boss Leberl says the former Maidstone United and Tonbridge front man man deserves all the plaudits coming his way.

He said: “Mitch has been with us quite a while and I think he’s realising he needs to get his head down and live and breathe football.

“He’s desperate to play like everyone is and he’s growing into it. He’s 22 and he’s found himself in the team via how well he’s been doing in training and I think he’s taken his chance to be honest.

“It proves that, as a club and a management team we’re prepared to give these boys a chance. Anyone can go out and get boys who have played a lot of games at this level but we give boys a chance.

“We’ve swapped him around a few positions but he’s stuck to it and what he did against Chester for his goal he’s done in training ever since we’ve had him.

“I think Mitch has always believed he can play (at this level) but there are two sides to playing football.

"Everyone knows that he has unbelievable talent but it’s what you do when you haven’t got the ball.

“As a player you probably only have the ball for a minute (in a game) so what are you doing for the other 89?

"But he’s got his head around it and he knows we’ll keep on at him to stay switched on and stay concentrating but I’m pleased for him. He had an exceptional game on Saturday.”