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Dover Athletic 0 Chester 0 Vanarama National League match report

Dover ended high-flying Chester's winning start to their Vanarama National League campaign after a goalless draw at Crabble on Saturday.

The visitors, who started the game in third place after winning both previous games, hit the woodwork three times, but it was Whites who should have got more than a point given their dominance, especially in the second half.

And once again, it was striker Ricky Miller who shone brightly for boss Chris Kinnear's side.

Sam Magri rises highest against Chester at Crabble last Saturday Picture: Matt Bristow.
Sam Magri rises highest against Chester at Crabble last Saturday Picture: Matt Bristow.

Miller had the first shot of the game on target saved low by Jon Worsnop in the fifth minute.

Dover goalkeeper Mitch Walker was called into action four minutes later, saving Ben Heneghan's header from John Rooney's free-kick.

Stefan Payne fired over following a surging run and pass from Miller in the 15th minute before Walker produced a stunning save moments later to keep Rooney's 25-yarder out.

Payne headed Nicky Deverdics' curling cross over in the 29th minute before the visitors went close twice in quick succession through Ross Hannah.

Hannah rattled the bar from the edge of the box before Walker saved his close range effort from Heneghan's header moments later.

Dover right-back Sam Magri then forced Worsnop into making a save in the 38th minute before striker Duane Ofari-Achaempong, who was making his first start of the season, fired over from 20 yards after getting the better of Ryan Higgins.

The last bit of action in the first half saw Tyrone Sterling booked for late tackle on Luke George.

Dover started the second half strongly and had the first chance after Miller, again proving to be a constant threat, saw his effort cleared off the line by Johnnie Hunt in the 57th minute.

Captain Jamie Grimes shot just wide before Miller beat Higgins only to be denied by a fine save by Worsnop.

Whites continued to press and had a penalty appeal waved after Higgins appeared to handle Miller's shot in the 65th minute.

Payne blazed over two minutes later as Whites continued to dominate before Worsnop saved bravely at the feet of Miller.

After soaking up all the pressure, Chester broke and substitute Craig Hobson almost made Dover pay after he headed against the bar from Tom Shaw's cross.

Deverdics' then saw his free-kick spectacularly cleared by Heneghan before Chester hit the bar for the third time when Hobson's cross deflected over Walker.

The result sees Dover drop from ninth to 13th while Chester slip to fifth.

Earlier, Kinnear had to make one enforced change with Ofari-Achaempong coming in with Tom Murphy (hamstring) and Ricky Modeste (ankle) both ruled out.

Whites, who have now completed the treble this season, a defeat, win and a draw, travel to Aldershot on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Dover: Walker, Magri (Wynter 66mins), Sterling, Grimes, Raggett, Orlu, Deverdics, Bellamy, Payne, Miller (Diallo 72min), Ofari-Achaempong. Subs not used: Rafferty, Young, Parkinson. Attendance: 801

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