There was a first National League South home defeat this season for Dover against early frontrunners Worthing on Saturday.

The goals in their 2-0 loss came early and late as Nicky Wheeler put the Rebels in front and substitute Reece Meekums wrapped it up in the latter stages.

A similar tale at Crabble saw the hosts, who have struggled to begin matches quickly enough so far this term, concede first after another slow start.

One-time Tonbridge winger Wheeler caught out Bournemouth’s on-loan home goalkeeper Billy Terrell with an eighth-minute effort from 25 yards out which crashed against the crossbar before bouncing over the line.

Five minutes later, right winger Joseph Felix flashed inches wide of an outstretched Terrell - 20 on Thursday - with the possession-based visitors putting in a dominant first-half display.

Although Mitch Brundle’s men started to get into it somewhat, left-back Chevron McLean over-hit a cross in a virtually chanceless half for them in front of a 727-strong crowd.

The 25th minute then saw Terrell thwart teenage frontman Sonny Fish after a strong run and left-wing delivery by Portsmouth loanee Liam Vincent.

Fish should have added a second which Adam Hinselwood’s troops probably deserved shortly before the interval. But the promising home keeper made a fantastic save to deny him after another left-wing cross found the visiting player in lots of space.

Six minutes after the restart, the sides had an opportunity apiece. Dover striker Zidan Sutherland created their best opening, only for his shot to fall the wrong side of away keeper Roco Rees’ right-hand post, before Felix flashed wide.

Terrell again had to be at his best to deny Vincent before a home corner was dropped by Rees and Whites’ Michael Olarewaju saw his shot land on the roof of the net.

Fellow centre-back Charlie Naylor went for the spectacular in the 76th minute but saw his bicycle kick from McLean’s corner drift narrowly wide.

Four minutes later, Worthing captain Aarran Racine nodded a corner straight at Terrell.

The away team did double their lead in the 82nd minute, though.

Meekums cut inside off the right well and fired underneath Terrell to find the bottom of the net as they bounced back from their first loss of the campaign at home to Aveley seven days earlier.

That was the end of the chances for either team, although referee Steven Hughes did hand out six yellow cards in total - four to the hosts while two were dished out to visiting players.

There was a new arrival in Dover's starting line-up. Former Tooting & Mitcham and Hertford forward Dontai Stewart came in.

Midfielder Iffy Allen also returned from a hamstring injury to start in the other change to boss Brundle’s side. Striker Nick Dembele wasn’t in the squad while - perhaps slightly surprisingly - young attacking midfielder Luke Baptiste dropped to the bench.

Defender Peter Ojemen was among the home substitutes, albeit he didn’t get on, but midfielder George Wilkinson again wasn’t involved at all and 20-year-old frontman George Nikaj (knee) also remained sidelined.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Charles-Cook (Hatcher 82mins), Olarewaju, Dunne, Sutherland (Bello 64mins), Allen (Baptiste 70mins), McLean, Naylor, Young, Stewart, Oyenuga. Subs not used: Ojemen, Anifowose.

Worthing: Rees, Colbran, Racine, Rye, Vincent, Felix (Wills 77mins), Wheeler, Aguiar, Odei, Luer (Meekums 67mins), Fish (Luque 60mins). Subs not used: Klass, Chadwick.

Referee: Steven Hughes.

Attendance: 727.