Neil Le Bihan pulls a silly face for the camera.

After six, largely unsuccessful, weeks on the road, the Dover fans made a long overdue return to fortress Crabble on Saturday afternoon, keen to see a return to the form that had made the Whites serious championship contenders prior to their last home game. Bouyed by a morale-boosting last minute win at Hayes on Tuesday and a full squad to pick from for the first time in recent memory, the expectation was that Dover would overcome a Kingstonian side distracted by the possibility of a second successive FA Trophy success.

Bill Williams kept faith with the side that won at Hayes in midweek, the first time he has named an unchanged eleven since October. Steve Brown had recovered from his stomach cramps but was kept on the bench as he had not trained all week. Matt Carruthers continued up front in Brown's place with Dave Morrison playing out of position on the right wing. The notable team news for Kingstonian was that ex-Whites legend David "Grandad" Leworthy was not in the K's squad.

This was a reasonably entertaining match although goalmouth incidents were unusually rare. The first threat to either goal occurred after nine minutes when Lee Shearer conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area but O'Connor wasted the resulting free-kick, firing it straight into the wall.

England Semi-Pro keeper Steve Farrelly had a few nervous moments dealing with back passes from his defenders. On one occasion Vansittart chased down Farrelly's clearance and the ball ricocheted to Morrison. Farrelly was in no position to defend his goal but was saved by the referee's whistle, persumably for a foul by Vansittart on Farrelly.

Dover forced a succession of corners just after the half hour mark which were dealt with by the Kingstonian defence. Soon after, Dover created the best chance of the match. Steve Norman's cross was met by Jake Leberl's thumping header from close range. The ball was heading into the top corner but was diverted behind by a magnificent save from Farrelly. The big keeper reacted in a split second to throw his right hand across and block what seemed a certain goal.

Six minutes from half time Matt Carruthers and Mark Harris both went in hard for the ball. Carruthers came off worse and after lengthy treatment had to leave the field on a stretcher. It was later revealed that he had chipped a bone in his ankle and will miss the rest of the season. Carruthers was replaced by Steve Brown for the remainder of the game.

The second period started badly for the Whites, they found themselves a goal down after just two minutes. Luckett's free-kick sparked a comedy of errors in the Dover area. Shearer, Munday, the post and Paul Hyde conspired to manufacture a bizarre own goal which was eventually credited to Munday.

Kingstonian were content to sit on their lead as Dover pushed forward in an attempt to equalise. The vocal support from the Dover End crowd was outstanding for the final half hour. On 58 minutes Vansittart was fouled by Harris just outside of the area. Norman's free-kick found the head of Shearer but he was unable to hit the target.

Dave Morrison was sent clear in the 70^th minute but was chopped down by Harris. Morrison was through on goal and Harris was the last defender which should have meant a red card but the inconsistent Mr. Conn inexplicably produced only a yellow.

Six minutes later, Steve Brown was also fouled just outside the area, by Crossley who also went into the book. Dave Clarke's free kick was pushed behind for a corner.

Clarke was involved again two minutes later. He picked the ball up in his own half and ran 50 yards, disecting the Kingstonian defence before launching a shot at goal which was made easier for Farrelly by a deflection off the leg of a defender. Clarke had another effort in injury time but Farrelly was not troubled as the shot flew wide.

Dover have played worse than this and won but a defensive blunder and a wonder save from Farrelly were enough for Kingstonian to complete the double over the Whites. Some wayward passing blunted Dover's forward play and restricted them to a handful of clear chances. At the other end, the only thing Paul Hyde had to do all afternoon was to pick the ball out of the net after his defenders had stuck it past him.

Dover will look to return to winning ways this Tuesday when relegation-threatened Woking visit Crabble. Encounters between Dover and Woking are always entertaining affairs and hopefully this one will be no different. On Saturday it's back on the road again as we travel to Hednesford.

Steve Norman takes a tumble.

Home