Jimmy Strouts, enjoying probably his best game since returning to Crabble, gets stuck in.

Dover ended their run of four consecutive defeats with victory at home to bottom club Northwich Victoria at Crabble, but they waited until the last fifteen minutes of the game before they turned on the style and eventually emerged as comfortable winners after performing below par for the first 70 minutes of the match.

Matt Carruthers got involved earlier than expected when he came on as a substitute after just six minutes.

The most interesting team news from a Dover point of view was the inclusion of Republic of Ireland youth and 'B' international Ross Darcy who had signed on a month's loan from Barnet on Friday. He came into the side in place of injured utility player Jake Leberl. Winger Lee McRobert returned to the bench for this match, replaced by wing-back Tony Browne. Five of the Dover starting line-up were suffering from the effects of a virus that had hit the squad.

It appeared that manager Bill Williams intended to play a 5-3-2 formation with Munday, Shearer and Beard as a back three, supported by Browne and Norman as wing-backs, with Darcy joining Strouts and Le Bihan in midfield. However this plan had to be abandonned after just two minutes when Dover were forced to make a change. Ross Darcy and Tony Browne collided whilst going for an aerial ball and the clash of heads left both of them laid out on the ground. Both required lengthy treatment but Browne was the worst affected. He received treatment on the side of the pitch whilst the game continued but he appeared dazed and confused as he was led away by Frank Brooks. Matt Carruthers was brought on to replace him and Dover lost their shape somewhat on the righthand side with Carruthers operating in a more forward role and Shearer and Munday covering behind him.

There was little in the way of clear-cut goalscoring opportunities in the first period. The closest for Northwich was a 25-yard free-kick that hit the top of the bar. For Dover, most of the best moves involved Steve Brown, Jimmy Strouts and Neil Le Bihan as the Whites punctuated their one-dimensional football of recent weeks with some occasional slick passing football. Strouts and Le Bihan combined to provide Joff Vansittart with the opportunity to cross low to Steve Norman in the area and he played the ball into the path of Le Bihan whose well struck shot was deflected behind for a corner. Another opening arrived with the award of an indirect free-kick near the penalty spot, but Le Bihan and Brown were unabled to beat the 10-man Northwich wall.

At half-time the story was similar to that of recent matches at Crabble. A solid if uninspiring first 45 minutes, with the score level at the break. Fortunately Athletic would avoid repeating the second-half collapses that have been evident at home over the last few weeks.

The second period started as the first had finished, with little to impress either set of fans, but as the half progressed Dover applied more pressure and forced a succesion of corners. What appeared to be the good fortune required by the Whites to turn around their poor form arrived on 65 minutes when veteran striker Jimmy Quinn was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. All that was required was for Lee Shearer to step up and put the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Athletic. However Shearer's kick was delayed as Quinn remonstrated with the referee and his assistant. Quinn's abusive language and threatening manner were unacceptable to Mr. Perkin who showed the former Northern Ireland international the red card.

Shearer, proud owner of a 100% record from 12-yards, put the ball on the spot, sent the keeper the wrong way but missed the target by at least a foot.

Bill Williams attempted to inject some pace into the Dover attack by bringing on loan forward James Pinnock in place of Steve Brown on 68 minutes, much to the displeasure of the home fans who were not happy to see Brown being withdrawn. Another substitution followed nine minutes later when first half substitute Matt Carruthers was replaced by Lee McRobert.

The deadlock was broken a minute after McRobert's introduction. A right wing corner was swung in towards the back post by Steve Norman and met by Lee Shearer's towering header back towards the near post. A Northwich player attempted to hook the ball off the line but only succeeded in helping it into the net.

From that point Dover were a completely different side. Their confidence returned and they started to play the intelligent attacking football that served them so well last season and in the pre-season games. The Whites made the points safe after 84 minutes with some neat football. James Pinnock beat the offside trap and played the ball to McRobert who was overlapping on the right. McRobert took the ball into the area and pulled it back for Vansittart to finish from three yards.

Lee Shearer causes problems for the fragile Northwich defence in the first half.

Two minutes later McRobert got on the scoresheet himself with a contender for goal of the season. He found himself 25 yards out with the ball at his feet and just effortlessly carressed the ball into the top corner of the net leaving Lance Key helpless in the Vics' goal.

Dover could have had a couple more before the final whistle. James Pinnock was put through and lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, but a divot in the penalty area was enough to divert the ball just wide of the post. It was Pinnock's second close effort having earlier fired six inches wide from 10-yards out. Jimmy Strouts, who once scored four in one match against Northwich, also looked likely to snatch a goal as he was involved in a number of dangerous attacks. The game finished 3-0 but all that mattered to Athletic was the three points.

With their poor form halted, the Whites play hosts to their bogey team, Kingstonian, in the last 16 of the Nationwide Variety Club Trophy on Tuesday evening, then, on Saturday, Morecambe visit Crabble in the Conference.

Ross Darcy made his Dover debut, on loan from Barnet.