Alan Dunne praised Tonbridge’s character in their comeback National League South derby win against Dover on Saturday.

Dunne saw his charges come from behind after the restart to win 2-1 against Whites in his first league game.

Trailing to defender Jalen Jones’ effort, skipper Scott Wagstaff equalised before substitute Brody Peart got the match’s all-important third goal.

Angels boss Dunne said: “We knew it was going to be difficult with their set-pieces, throw-ins and long balls into the box.

“We knew their height and we knew their strengths so, early on, we just wanted to withstand that. We knew they would start well and we knew they would start with long throws and corners, and we wanted to be solid in the box.

“In the first half, I thought we were okay. We had chances and the final third wasn't quite there, sort of swiping at things, and then their goal was a little bit soft.

“Second phase, the big man has pulled on Bailey (Akehurst). It dropped down and we didn’t get enough on it.

Report: Tonbridge 2-1 Dover

“Going in at half-time, we were disappointed with their goal. I said ‘We need to make a change.’. We were going to try and get down the sides of them, force them back a little bit and I knew, if we got the first goal, that we’d get the second.

“I’m proud of how they reacted to a bump in the road and really proud of the second half.

“I felt we were good value for it and showed some good quality in the right areas.

“There’s still a lot to work on. We can’t get carried away but it’s nice to win again and try to continue this momentum.”

While Tonbridge were the superior side in the second period as they turned the fixture around, Dunne thinks they can become even more ruthless.

He said: “I want it to be more than two!

“I want us to be a little bit more ruthless in and around the box. I think that’s important because, sometimes, you might only get one or two chances away from home - and you’ve got to be ruthless enough to take that.

“But it’s early days. The boys have demonstrated they can go down by a goal and bounce back.

“For me, the biggest positive from the day is they have reacted to disappointment.

“Teams are going to score goals, we aren’t not going to concede and we’re going to lose games, so it’s about how you react.

“We showed that.”

On-loan Wycombe forward Peart replaced Bromley loanee Sam German at half-time in a change of formation.

But Dunne had no regrets over not starting the 20-year-old against Dover, who remain two points and five places ahead of them, having played a league game more than Angels.

“Sometimes, you don’t want to start all your best players,” 43-year-old Dunne said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to have something up your sleeve.

“I think Brody, for me, is one I wanted to have up my sleeve because he can change a game.

“He’s a fantastic player. Sometimes, you need the game to fizzle out a little bit - then bring on some players that can hurt (opposition) players.

“But I don’t want to tell you all my secrets!”

Tonbridge secured their derby victory in front of a segregated crowd of 1,250 as they won at Longmead for the second time in five days, having thrashed Isthmian Premier Cray Valley 5-0 in their FA Cup third qualifying round replay on Tuesday night.

“The fans have been outstanding,” said Dunne, who has helped Angels extend their unbeaten streak to seven fixtures in all competitions. “The noise is outstanding. It really helps us.

“Before the game, I went into the directors’ bar and it’s lovely to come in and have people give you that warm welcome.

“I understand there has been a change in manager. But people have been really supportive of me, can’t do enough for me and it’s quite humbling.

“I’m really pleased I can offer them something back.”

Midfielder Wagstaff, 35, started the Tonbridge turnaround, equalising when he was the first to a loose ball after away keeper and captain Mitch Walker could only parry Bailey Akehurst’s long-range drive.

Dunne said: “He’s so good, Waggy, in terms of what he can do.

“I didn’t want to take him off at the end. (But) I thought ‘They’re going to be launching balls in the box and we have got Jack Matton there. I can put him in the box and he can head the ball out.’.

“But the skipper, he was outstanding.”

Home goalkeeper Jacob Adams also made a key save in first-half injury time to deny ex-Tonbridge forward Ruben Soares-Junior.

“You need your keeper to pull out big saves,” said Dunne, who expects to play MacKenzie Foley in Tuesday’s Kent Senior Cup home clash against Sittingbourne. “I thought he did that.

“He was excellent and showed some maturity in his game. That was a big save. I like Jacob.

“We have got two good keepers and Foley will play on Tuesday.

“But in the last three games, Jacob has done really well for me.”

Tonbridge will host full-time Isthmian Premier high-fliers Chatham in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round next weekend.

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