Promotion-chasing Dover earned a fourth straight Isthmian Premier win as they saw off relegation-threatened Hendon on Saturday.

In an enthralling game which had just about everything, Whites raced into a two-goal lead within 15 minutes through an own goal and a second claimed by Luke Baptiste, only for the Greens to pull one back through Kofi Anokye-Boadi before half-time.

Second-half Dover goals from man-of-the-match Baptiste and midfielder Ryan Hanson then left a Hendon second by Olusanya Fadahunsi a mere consolation and it finished 4-2.

Athletic made a perfect start as they went into a second-minute lead in bizarre fashion at Crabble in front of a 720-strong attendance.

Away keeper Matteo Salamon was adjudged to have carried the ball over his own goal-line from a high cross, with 23-goal top scorer George Nikaj putting him under pressure. It was a call that left Hendon furious - but the goal stood.

Five minutes later, Whites skipper Ruben Soares-Junior burst through, only to be thwarted well by Salamon, who made himself big.

But Jake Leberl’s hosts doubled their tally in the 15th minute.

Alfie Matthews floated in a free-kick and Baptiste was awarded the goal, although it wasn’t clear to the naked eye if Baptiste or visiting defender Alkeo Bani had got the decisive touch to send the ball beyond a helpless Salamon.

On the half-hour mark, Matthews himself tested Salamon. His strike from Soares-Junior’s lay-off was straight at the away keeper, though.

The visitors then went close as they started to get into the game, Fadahunsi only able to poke a cross by left-back Stefan Ilic wide of goalkeeper Jordan Gillmore’s left-hand post.

Hendon did get a lifeline from Ilic’s corner, however, when Anokye-Boadi sent a 42nd-minute bullet header home for his third goal in as many games.

With visiting tails up, winger Anokye-Boadi went close again shortly after. He drilled inches wide at the end of an eventful first period.

The home side restored their two-goal cushion just five minutes after the break in fine fashion.

Baptiste claimed his second as a lovely move resulted in Matthews playing in Baptiste, who curled into the bottom corner.

At the other end, one-time Chatham player Anokye-Boadi, eyeing his second, dragged wide of the post.

But Athletic effectively ended the contest just before the hour mark when midfielder Hanson squeezed home Baptiste’s low right-wing delivery.

The Greens continued to battle to their credit, though, as Gillmore was forced to parry Fadahunsi’s shot.

They almost found the net again on 73 minutes when substitute Nikolai Krokhin nodded over a corner.

As the encounter headed into the latter stages, Hendon were forced to play the final minutes with an outfield player in goal.

Home substitute Eniye Amgbaduba was cautioned by referee Edward Smith for a late aerial challenge on keeper Salamon. That was enough to end his afternoon and leave defender Krokhin to don the gloves.

Whites came close to a fifth in the 85th minute as substitute Conrad Lucan curled inches wide of makeshift goalkeeper Krokhin’s left-hand post.

Three minutes later, the away team claimed another, with forward Fadhunsi getting the final touch on a corner.

There was still time in stoppage time for Krokhin to make a double save to deny substitutes Lucan and Eniye Amgbaduba.

Dover manager Leberl had named an unchanged starting line-up, which had also played in last weekend’s comeback 2-1 home win against Cheshunt.

Indeed, the only change in the hosts’ squad saw defender Jeremiah Gyebi come on the substitutes’ bench, replacing midfielder George Wilkinson, who sustained a fractured collarbone in the second half against Cheshunt.

That also meant there was no place in the home side for keeper Mitch Walker, despite the 33-year-old warming up with his team-mates, as Gillmore retained the No.1 shirt.

Hendon had been late to arrive due to traffic issues, which led to a 10-minute delay to kick-off.

Dover, sitting fourth, will visit leaders Dartford for a massive Kent derby on Easter Friday.

Dover Athletic: Gillmore, Charles-Cook (T.Amgbaduba 68mins), Sesay, Mensah, Tennent (Gyebi 75mins), Cocoracchio, Baptiste, Matthews, Nikaj (Lucan 65mins) Soares-Junior (E.Amgbaduba 65mins), Hanson (Mampolo 62mins).

Hendon: Salamon (Halsey 80mins), Currie, Ilic, Opoku (Krokhin 62mins), Bani (Sery 62mins), Stirling, Gordon, Talla (Kawimbe 71mins), Fadahunsi, Muir, Anokye-Boadi. Sub not used: Cole.

Referee: Edward Smith.

Attendance: 720.