Long Dover trip ends in goalless stalemate

City had to settle for a point from their longest away trip of the season as they drew nil-nil against Dover Athletic at the Crabble Stadium this afternoon.

After a bright start from City it was the home side who twice went close. A swift break from a City corner ended with Will Buse saving well and from the resultant corner a header struck the bar. The game was more even after this but clear chances were hard to come by with both defences standing firm. The Whites thought they had broken the deadlock on 40 minutes when Sutherland curled home a shot but an offside flag halted the celebrations. City closed the half with their best chance when a cross picked out an unmarked Ewan Clark at the far post but keeper Aziaya blocked his shot.

City couldn’t build on this into the second half despite enjoying much of the possession. The clearest opening of the half fell to Dover when a misplaced Scott Wilson pass sent them racing clear but Jordan Dyer recovered well to block the eventual shot and the danger was cleared. With around 15 minutes to go Dan Hayfield was tripped just outside the box but Tom Smith’s low effort flew narrowly wide. Neither side could fashion any further openings and the stalemate saw City slip out of the play-off places and Dover drop to the foot of the table.