Manager Andy Hessenthaler was thrilled with the application from Dover's players as they earned a goalless draw at Notts County.

Hessenthaler’s team have now lost just once in their past six National League fixtures following the stalemate at Meadow Lane against the in-form Magpies.

Dover restricted their opponents to few chances but almost left Nottinghamshire pointless on Saturday, with winger Enzio Boldewijn’s free-kick in second-half stoppage-time striking the post.

Whites boss Hessenthaler said: “We set it (Dover's game plan) out.

“We made it difficult. We set our stall out and the boys did exactly what we spoke about last Thursday and Friday.

“Now, we have only lost one in six.

“A lot of teams in our league would take that.”

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Hessenthaler, who gave Leyton Orient defender Shadrach Ogie his first start after he joined Dover on loan last Friday, praised his side’s defensive display.

He said: “We deserved to get something out of the game.

"We set up pretty much the way we have done all season away from home.

“We limited them to one shot in the first half. We didn’t have many chances but we had a spell of putting a few crosses into their box.

“In the second half, they hit the post but we had some chances of our own.

"It was a massive challenge for us. They are a massive club.

"Who would have thought Dover would have been playing Notts County a few years ago?

“Now, we need to back it up against Aldershot this weekend.

“Credit to the defence. They (Notts County) have two centre-forwards who are ex-league players but our defence did really well against them.

“If we had scored in the second half, I think we then would have gone on to win the game.”

Hessenthaler, whose team are 12th and five points outside the play-off places with a game in hand on seventh-placed FC Halifax Town, added: “We are not on a bad run.

“We have beaten Bromley and drawn with Hartlepool in our last two home games.

“Between now and the end of the season, we have to pick up results at home.

"I think that’s the key if we are to finish in seventh place."

Substitute Ade Yusuff had a good chance for Dover in the closing stages but was denied by a fine block by County defender Alex Lacey.

Inih Effiong, debutant Ogie, Oscar Gobern and Bobby Joe-Taylor also had opportunities for the away side.

Defender Paul Rooney, who recently has been out with a knee injury, came off the bench briefly during the encounter, too.

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