Ryan Hanson scored on his return for promotion-chasing Dover to help them claim a much-needed win against Isthmian Premier basement boys Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday.

The midfielder and former captain headed in Whites’ first goal before Luke Baptiste also found the net before half-time during their 2-0 victory.

It was a first home win since November 16 for Jake Leberl’s troops and ended a five-game winless streak.

Bowers had actually created the game’s first chance as six-goal playmaker Alfie Evans struck a speculative fourth-minute shot against home keeper Claudio Boakye-Sarfo’s crossbar at Crabble.

But it was the hosts who drew first blood in front of a crowd of 661 on 11 minutes.

A right-wing delivery was half-cleared and 24-year-old Hanson bravely beat defender Luca Albon to the ball to send a looping header beyond away keeper David Hughes on his comeback for his hometown club.

Five minutes later, Hughes got down to save from Dover’s Baptiste before Albon - unable to continue - was replaced by Kai Redgrave.

It was already looking like Dover’s afternoon as they doubled their tally. Young forward Baptiste drilled into the bottom corner for his 17th goal this term after good closing work by top scorer George Nikaj and Alfie Matthews sent Baptiste free.

Next to go close for the home side was midfielder Matthews. His attempt smacked against the crossbar while skipper Ruben Soares-Junior’s rebound header drifted wide.

Striker Nikaj should have added to his tally for the season in the 38th minute. He sprung through the offside trap from a left-wing cross and found space, only to be denied by Hughes.

Five minutes later at the other end, Boakye-Sarfo watched a long-range effort by midfielder George Scales go narrowly wide of his right-hand post.

There was a home scare when Hanson pulled up with a groin issue, attempting to cut out a pass on 55 minutes, albeit he was fit to continue.

Athletic’s Soares-Junior was then denied by Hughes’ legs after good work had seen him cut off the left flank.

At the other end, Boakye-Sarfo saved smartly on the hour mark after a visiting free-kick had fallen kindly for ex-Tonbridge man TQ Addy.

The impressive Hanson was replaced by fellow midfielder George Wilkinson for Whites as Baptiste dragged inches wide with 13 minutes to go after good play by Matthews and Soares-Junior.

Home defender Fuad Sesay missed the target with a good opportunity in the first minute of five of stoppage time while Hughes saved excellently from substitute Eniye Amgbaduba.

But Dover had done enough as they also held on for a second clean sheet in a row.

Whites manager Leberl made five changes from the goalless draw at Canvey Island last weekend.

Keeper Boakye-Sarfo replaced the suspended Jordan Gillmore, with Hanson - who has rejoined on loan from National League South Tonbridge for the rest of this season - also starting.

Others recalled were top scorer Nikaj, left-back Sesay and Luca Cocoracchio in for Harrison Pont, Tamas Amgbaduba, Kweku-Conrad Lucan and Francis Mampolo.

Teenage forward Max Fiddes, who Dover tried to sign just a matter of weeks ago, started for the visitors.

Athletic will visit fellow play-off occupants Cray Valley in a big league match next weekend before they host Chatham on Tuesday, March 18, in a rearranged Kent derby.

Dover Athletic: Boakye-Sarfo, Charles-Cook, Sesay, Gyebi, Tennent, Cocoracchio (Mensah 92mins), Baptiste (Mampolo 81mins), Matthews (Pont 88mins), Nikaj, Soares-Junior (E.Amgbaduba 88mins), Hanson (Wilkinson 75mins).

Bowers & Pitsea: Hughes, Richefond (Monville 61mins), Gruszczinski, Albon (Redgrave 16mins), Ambroisine, Sani (Shana 73mins), Fiddes, Scales, Reeve, Evans, Addy (Smith-Kouassi 75mins).

Referee: Jake Woodman.

Attendance: 661.