New Tonbridge manager Alan Dunne inspired a second-half turnaround as his team won their first National League South match under him against Kent rivals Dover on Saturday.

Trailing at half-time to defender Jalen Jones’ goal, skipper Scott Wagstaff levelled the scores and key half-time substitute Brody Peart got the game’s all-important third goal as it ended 2-1 to Dunne’s men.

Home midfielder Jordan Higgs had presented former team-mate George Nikaj with possession inside the first three minutes at Longmead, only for Whites to fail to make the most of that opportunity.

Five minutes later, the home side went close when Bunmi Babajide blazed over from 35-year-old Wagstaff’s right-wing delivery after defensive midfielder Luca Cocoracchio had blocked to thwart attacker Marcus Sablier.

Jake Leberl’s team then drove straight down the other end but striker Nikaj’s effort flashed narrowly wide of keeper Jacob Adams’ left-hand post.

Tonbridge next threatened as Bailey Akehurst took a corner short and swung in a left-footed delivery for Bromley loanee defender Sam German, whose header was easily gathered by away captain and goalkeeper Mitch Walker.

But Dover broke the deadlock midway through the first period.

The home defence failed to properly clear left-back Fuad Sesay’s cross and Jones hammered past Adams for only his second goal this season.

Angels thought they should have been awarded a penalty with 36 minutes played, Babajide going down under pressure from scorer Jones. But their appeals were waved away by referee Jack Bloxham.

Four minutes later, Walker easily gathered Higgs’ long-range strike in blustery conditions.

Whites could have further extended their advantage in first-half injury time.

Forward Ruben Soares-Junior came alive, jinxing off the right flank before he curled a left-footed shot towards the far corner, only to be denied by a fine fingertip save from Angels summer signing Adams, before Luke Baptiste fired the resultant corner over.

Dunne made a half-time substitution that saw Wycombe loanee Peart come on for defender German, 20, in a change in formation.

Inside just three second-half minutes, it was a switch which paid dividends as Wagstaff found the bottom corner after Walker had parried 22-year-old Akehurst’s long-range shot.

And the hosts went 2-1 in front shortly before the hour when half-time substitute Peart found himself in acres of space to convert an Akehurst left-wing delivery at the back post for his second goal in as many games.

Dover made their first switch as attacker Francis Mampolo came on against his old club for midfielder Harry Beadle.

Five minutes later, Cocoracchio was in the right place at the right time, providing a goal-line clearance to deny Sablier.

Baptiste then sent an acrobatic 77th-minute overhead kick from a Roman Charles-Cook cross wide.

In the final minute of normal time, Dover substitute George Wilkinson’s left-wing delivery flashed across goal to no avail and Tonbridge held on.

It leaves Dunne’s side two points behind Whites, with Angels - now unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions - having a game in hand on them.

Home manager Dunne had made one switch from the team that were 5-0 midweek FA Cup third qualifying round replay winners against Cray Valley, with veteran Wagstaff in for Matty Warren.

For Whites, boss Leberl selected an unnamed starting line-up from the previous weekend’s goalless draw at unbeaten frontrunners Hornchurch while forward Decarrey Sheriff came in for teenage defender Matty Holness.

Dover will be at home against Horsham in a rearranged league game next weekend as Angels welcome full-time Isthmian Premier high-fliers Chatham to Longmead on the same day and aim to make the FA Cup first round proper, having hosted Isthmian South East Sittingbourne in the Kent Senior Cup four days earlier.

Tonbridge Angels: Adams, Williams, Wagstaff (Matton 92mins), German (Peart 46mins), Penney, Higgs, Simon (Unwin 87mins), Sablier (Taylor-Crossdale 71mins), Babajide, Bakrin, Akehurst (Mundle 69mins). Subs not used: Pierrick, Foley.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Charles-Cook, Sesay (Sodje 71mins), Jones, Cocoracchio, Baptiste, Matthews (Wilkinson 78mins), Nikaj (Sheriff 78mins), Soares-Junior (Coker 78mins), Beadle (Mampolo 64mins), Mensah. Subs not used: Lukombo, Gillmore.

Attendance: 1,250.

Referee: Jack Bloxham.