Manager Jake Leberl revealed Dover midfielder Alfie Matthews is playing through the pain barrier after his matchwinning two-goal display at Billericay on Wednesday night.

Matthews converted a brace of brilliant free-kicks as Whites came from behind to seal a 2-1 extra-time victory in their Isthmian Premier play-off semi-final.

The 23-year-old former England youth-team player got injured in last month's 3-1 league defeat at Dartford - who, ironically, Dover will face in Monday’s play-off final - but he has strapped himself up for the season run-in, as has team-mate Luca Cocoracchio.

Leberl revealed: “Alfie’s got a broken bone in his wrist.

“He did it at Dartford on Easter Friday. We didn’t play him on the Monday against Hastings - and he wasn’t very happy! But that just goes to show his commitment, doesn’t it?

“Luca is playing with a bone broken in his hand, as well. But we have been very fortunate regarding injuries this season.

“Very few have missed games, but that comes down to recruitment and how well the players have looked after themselves.”

Report (after extra-time): Billericay 1-2 Dover

Matthews twice fired past Ricay goalkeeper Sam Donkin in front of a huge crowd of 2,857 at New Lodge after striker Femi Akinwade, formerly of Tonbridge and Dartford, had broken the deadlock in the fourth minute of the additional 30.

“It was an absolutely brilliant game,” Leberl reflected. “It was real edge-of-your-seat stuff, a bit of a basketball game, and end-to-end.

“There were some real opportunities for both sides and, obviously, I’m just so pleased that we have got over the line through two unbelievable bits of quality from Alf.

“Now, I’m just already looking forward to the final.”

The goals finally came following an enthralling - but goalless - first 90 minutes on a lovely April night despite Athletic claims they had bundled over the line as forward Luke Baptiste flicked a clearance by keeper Mitch Walker against the post and a goalmouth scramble ensued.

Leberl said: “There were chances, weren’t there?

“We felt our one went over the line - the boys are adamant - but you’re away from home in front of a big crowd so, maybe, you’re not going to get those decisions. Whether the linesman had a clear view of it, I’m not sure.

“But we have got a really honest bunch of boys and they were adamant that one went in. I think we just about edged it. But they’re a very good side with really good players.

“To beat them here in the semi-final of the play-offs, that’s immense for a club like us with our resources. But full credit to the boys.

“They’ve been absolutely amazing from the first day of pre-season and I’m so proud to be their manager.”

While Dover’s management team were always aware of the quality one-time Arsenal player Matthews had over free-kicks, his boss was thrilled to see him deliver when it mattered most in a match.

Leberl said: “I thought Ruben Soares-Junior was absolutely immense, as well. We see Alfie free-kicks (in training) and his technique is out of this world.

“We see it in training more than we do in games so it was nice for him to finally turn up in a big game and stick two in the back of the net.”

Leberl also explained his reluctance to make changes, a move which reaped rewards, as their sole substitution saw Jeremiah Gyebi get introduced for Matthews in the 122nd minute.

He explained: “That’s no disrespect to the lads we had on the bench. But it was just one of them where you really needed to be straight into the pace of it.

“There wasn’t time to get into the pace of it because it was like a basketball game. I didn’t want to bring someone on and for them to be the fall guy as such.

“I couldn’t believe the fitness levels of the boys, but that comes from their belief and how well they look after themselves.”