Dover made the first dent into their 12-point deduction after holding big-spending Chesterfield at Crabble.

Andy Hessenthaler's men had lost their opening three National League games but they held their own against a Chesterfield team intent on returning to the Football League this campaign.

Dover started brightly and went close after 10 minutes when visiting keeper Scott Loach parried Aaron Cosgrave's long-range shot before defender Gavin Gunning did well to clear the danger.

Gunning headed over from a corner at the other end but the visitors created little in the opening half-hour.

Just before the break, Kabongo Tshimanga had Chesterfield's best chance of the half but keeper Josh Bexon turned his effort over the bar while Travis Gregory tested the palms of Loach at the other end.

Calvin Miller delivered an excellent left-wing cross after the break but no Chesterfield player was on hand to convert while Tshimanga set up Liam Mandeville who shot over from 10 yards.

Whites introduced Ricky Miller late on in a bid to find a winner while there was a familiar face coming off the bench for Chesterfield, with ex-Dover defender Jamie Grimes coming on for the injured Laurence Maguire 20 minutes from time.

Dover visit Eastleigh on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45pm.

Dover: Bexon, Twumasi, Goodman, Collinge, Wood, Bramble (Hanson 70mins), Woods, Gregory, Williamson, Cosgrave, Arthur (Miller 76mins). Subs not used: Da Costa, Caton, Parkes.

Chesterfield: Loach, Miller, Maguire (Grimes 72mins), McCourt (Weston 51mins), Kerr, Gunning, Carline, Oyeleke, Mandeville (Kham 78mins), Rowe, Tshimanga. Subs not used: King, Payne.

Referee: Robert Whitton.

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