Dover manager Jake Leberl has warned Harrison Pont he is going to have to learn quickly from his derby dismissal.

Pont is set to start a three-game ban when Whites host newly-promoted Chichester this Saturday after he was sent off in last Tuesday’s thrilling 3-2 Isthmian Premier derby loss to Folkestone.

A summer signing from Herne Bay, the defensive-minded utility player’s red card proved a key point in the game with Dover 2-1 down and searching for an equaliser.

Invicta then restored a two-goal cushion and, although substitute Jaiden Drakes-Thomas set up a grandstand finish despite their numerical disadvantage, it wasn’t enough in front of a bumper crowd of 2,495 at Crabble.

“I’m really disappointed because I made a big thing about that,” revealed Leberl, with Pont also cautioned in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Billericay.

“If Pont wants to continue playing in this side, he’s going to have to learn very quickly.

“It’s difficult for boys that have been playing a little bit lower because the discipline side of it, especially around this area, it’s never great.

“You see lots of boys getting sent-off for stupid things and he has got sent-off for something that he shouldn’t be doing.

“He has been great for us so far. He’s a great lad and I’d like to think - as long as he learns from it - we can all move on.”

Former Dover academy player Pont was red-carded by referee Michael Butcher just before the hour mark after a late challenge on Folkestone forward Evans Kouassi.

On the decision itself, Leberl said: “I think he (Mr Butcher) was desperate to send him off. He couldn’t wait to get his red card out.

“But I’d spoken to Harrison before he went out and told him that you have got to play football on your feet.

“The minute you go to ground is the minute you give the referee an opportunity. I’ll keep saying that to him.

“But if he’s not prepared to learn from that, we’ll have to look at something else. I’m sure he will.

“He has been absolutely brilliant and I really like him.

“He’s a great character, he’s a great lad, and he’s a winner. He’s a competitive midfielder and it’s part of his game.

“I know it’s difficult because old habits die hard - and he’s probably spent most of his career on his backside - but once you go to ground after being in the referee’s ear, which he had been, the referee has got a decision to make.

“We’re going to be a young and naive side at times this season.

“I’ve got no problem with us making mistakes - as long as we don’t make the same mistakes.”

One bright spark from the derby defeat for Dover was the substitute appearance of ex-Colchester youth-team midfielder Drakes-Thomas, who got off the mark with a fine goal from the edge of the penalty area. That gave Whites hope of a late comeback following striker George Nikaj’s first-half header.

On Drakes-Thomas, who also played for Sevenoaks last term, Leberl noted: “He’s a very talented boy.

“He has done that in training a lot so I was desperate to get him on the pitch. There was one just after which got blocked, as well.

“I think he’s going to be a big player.”

Nikaj made it five goals in three games as Dover drew first blood at Billericay in the 72nd minute but former Chatham forward Ashley Nzala equalised just five minutes later.

There was also a first competitive Whites appearance for Alfie Matthews after the former Arsenal youth-team forward and one-time England under-16 international was finally handed international clearance following a spell in Australia.

Dover visit Horsham on Monday. The Hornets have two wins from three league games, having bounced back well from a 2-0 opening-day defeat at Hastings.

Whites have been handed an FA Cup first qualifying round trip to Isthmian South East Sittingbourne on August 31.