Frannie Collin battles for possession during Saturday's match with Hampton and Richmond, which was watched by more than 1,100.

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler believes the club’s strong fan base is already giving them an edge in Blue Square South.

Whites had a gate of 1,108 for last Saturday’s 4-2 win over Hampton & Richmond at Crabble, a win which maintained their 100 per cent home record this season and kept them top of the table.

The two clubs immediately below Dover, Newport County and Woking, also had 1000-plus home attendances but none of the other clubs managed gates above 500 and Hessenthaler said: "I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the three teams at the top are all the best supported clubs in the division.

"That sort of fan base does give you an edge both in terms of your support, both home and away, and also financially in helping to build a decent-sized squad. I know my players really appreciate the terrific support they get at Dover although it can create a bit of added pressure, especially at home."

Whites made it five wins out of five at Crabble by beating Hampton with what Hessenthaler described as "a good team performance, especially considering the disruption we suffered through injuries both before and during the game."

Already without strike pair Adam Birchall (hamstring) and Shaun Welford (ankle), Hessenthaler lost another front man during Saturday’s game when Frannie Collin, scorer of their opening goal, went off in the second half with an ankle injury.

Defender Dean Hill was substituted with a similar problem 10 minutes from time and Hessenthaler admitted: "All four must be considered very doubtful for this Saturday's game (away to Bath City), and with Matt Fish and Craig Cloke both still out we could be down to 15 fit players this weekend – and that includes me."

Dover have been drawn at home to Guildford or East Preston in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, September 26.