Manager Jake Leberl is open to bolstering Dover’s promotion-chasing squad - but won’t rush into making further signings.

Whites’ 3-1 Isthmian Premier defeat against play-off chasing Carshalton at Crabble last weekend means they have taken a single point from their past five home league fixtures.

Those games have seen them drop back off the top of the table, albeit they remain well-placed in the play-off positions in third.

Nevertheless, Dover’s results have not been as rosy of late after their blistering early-season form.

But Leberl seems happy to remain loyal to the bulk of his squad.

“If and when the right players become available, we’ll go after them,” Leberl, who handed a debut to forward Kweku Lucan off the substitutes’ bench against Carshalton, said.

“Lucan had a great start to the season at Step 2 with Slough and he’s the type of player we want.

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“But we cannot bring in player after player, like some of the clubs around us.

“We’re working to a budget that’s extremely tight, which is the right thing to do.

“Our budget is the same as Bognor’s one - and they’re bottom - but Cray are doing well, as well.

“I don’t think they have got a budget that’s that big so it’s not all about money.

“When you say ‘Are you going to bring in someone?’, we just work with what we have got.

“We have done all season and, to be honest, it has worked well so far.”

Lucan, who had scored five goals in his 23 appearances this campaign for Slough after his arrival last summer, made his Whites bow when he came on for Francis Mampolo against Carshalton in the 69th minute.

Leberl said: “He didn’t really have too much of a chance but he did put in a great cross for a George Nikaj header.

“It will be interesting to see how he does because Lucan has Step 2 experience.

“He’s a good lad, has a bit of pace and, hopefully, he can help us push on.”

Dover’s boss admitted to having mixed emotions following their home defeat to the Robins.

Away keeper MacKenzie Foley saved to deny attacking midfielder Luke Baptiste the chance to score his third penalty in as many games - only for Baptiste to still come up with an 89th-minute consolation effort.

“I’ve got mixed feelings,” said Leberl.

“I thought we performed well and created more than enough chances.

“But once we didn’t score the penalty, I thought we lacked a bit of confidence and gave away a couple of sloppy goals.

“They’re starting to creep in - and that’s not been us all season.

“That’s the first time - other than the Folkestone game when we played with 10 men [in an early-season 3-2 defeat] - we have conceded three goals.

“Performance-wise, I was relatively pleased.

“I thought we probably had about 10 or 12 chances and we were unlucky to lose the game but, if you give away sloppy goals, that can happen.

“We’re just going through what seems like a sticky patch.

“I say that but that’s more because we conceded in the last minute on Tuesday (in a 1-1 home draw with Lewes).

“We just need to get through this patch and start to pick up more points than we have been doing.”

Asked if tiredness was becoming a factor for a youthful and small squad, Leberl replied: “I don't know.

“I see them train every week - and they’re absolutely flying! I think the pitch is a very big factor so it’s hard.

“Maybe, there’s a lack of confidence because everything they were hitting at the start of the season was going in, and that’s now not happening.

“But we created 10 or 12 chances on Saturday so, apart from putting the ball in the back of the net a bit more consistently, what more can we do?

“We’re still the top-scorers in the division.”

Next up on Saturday is a trip away to mid-table Wingate & Finchley for Whites, who were beaten 2-1 by them in September.

Leberl said: “I’ve seen them a couple of times this season and they’re a good side.

“They were in and around the play-off places but have fallen off a little bit. That can happen.

“Is there more pressure on us at home? Maybe a little bit because of how well we’ve done.

“But apart from against Hashtag [in last month’s 2-1 loss], who I thought were outstanding on the day, we have done very well away from home.

“So, there’s no reason to not be confident of getting a result.”

Dover’s Isthmian Premier derby at promotion rivals Dartford has been pushed forward a day to Friday, April 18.