Andy Hessenthaler admits he would not like to say who the favourites are for Dover's New Year's Day derby at Maidstone.

Whites came from behind to win the first meeting at home 3-1 on Boxing Day and held National League leaders Leyton Orient to a goalless draw at Crabble on Saturday.

That draw made it one defeat in the last seven for Whites, who have taken 14 points out of a possible 21 during that time – a run which has lifted them out of the bottom four for the first time since August.

Maidstone, who are next bottom three points behind Whites, parted company with manager Harry Wheeler after the Crabble defeat and, under the guidance of caretaker duo Simon Walton and Tristan Lewis,triumphed 1-0 at Boreham Wood on Saturday despite finishing with 10 men after a red card for Dan Wishart.

Hessenthaler had his men down as slight favourites for the first meeting, but he reckons the return at the Gallagher looks too tight to call.

He explained: "Unfortunately Harry Wheeler lost his job, they decided to make a change, I think they've kept it in house at the moment.

"Simon Walton's taken over along with the assistant and they got a fantastic result at Boreham Wood so that's going to give them a spark.

"There's going to be a good atmosphere at Maidstone, but listen I don't know who are favourites to be fair.

"We beat them here, but they're the home side now so the onus is on them, the pressure's on them.

"We've just got to go and try to put in the type of performance we've been putting in recently."

Ricky Modeste, Bobby Joe Taylor and Josh Passley all missed the Orient game as a result of injuries picked up on Boxing Day and Hessenthaler says the trio remain doubtful for the New Year's Day fixture.

He added: "I think they'll be 50/50 for Tuesday which is a shame, but that's what happens at this time of year. The good thing is that we've got a bit more depth in the squad now."