Dover Athletic’s bid to finish the season in the National League play-offs was dealt another blow as they fell to a 1-0 loss against Yeovil on Saturday.

A second-half effort from journeyman striker Marc Richards proved to be the difference between the two teams at Crabble.

Whites were first to threaten with three minutes on the clock.

Nassim L'Ghoul tried to find fellow midfield man Ricky Modeste at the far post and away defender Carl Dickinson was forced to head over his own crossbar under considerable pressure.

Darren Sarll’s Glovers, chasing automatic promotion, created their first opening on 10 minutes as Dickinson whipped in a fine left-wing cross but Richards couldn’t quite catch up with the ball.

Three minutes later, Jimmy Smith forced a simple save from home goalkeeper Lee Worgan after Remeao Hutton had stood up a cross from the right flank.

Midway through the first period, with the big men up from the back for the hosts, L’Ghoul attempted to catch Yeovil keeper Stuart Nelson out at his near post but ended up dragging his strike well wide.

Yeovil once again went close in the 38th minute when a long throw from ex-Gillingham midfielder Charlie Lee caused problems in the home penalty box and a bicycle kick by defender Luke Wilkinson went narrowly over Worgan's crossbar.

Two minutes before the break, there was then a chance for either side in quick succession.

Courtney Duffus volleyed over before home striker Inih Effiong broke straight through at the other end but was adjudged to have been fairly challenged by Yeovil’s Dickinson inside the away penalty area, despite appeals for a penalty from the Whites contingent.

Just two minutes after the restart, the Glovers took the lead when Richards unleashed a fierce effort and, despite the best efforts of Worgan who got his fingertips on the ball, he couldn't keep the ball out.

After breaking the deadlock, Yeovil continued to push forward as they looked to establish a two-goal advantage.

Great play down the right by Hutton allowed the 21-year-old to deliver a cross which was only half-cleared by the Dover defence. The ball fell kindly for Albi Skendi but he blazed over.

With 66 minutes played, the visitors went agonisingly close to a second. Richards found Smith and he cushioned the ball back to Duffus, only for his close-range header to cannon against the bar.

Substitute Ade Yusuff had Dover’s first opportunity on goal on 78 minutes, hooking Taylor’s cross goalwards, only to be denied by a block from Nelson.

But Whites, who had beaten Yeovil 1-0 at Huish Park in November, never really got going and were unable to create enough serious opportunities to muster a leveller.

Andy Hessenthaler made four changes to the side which lost 3-0 at Solihull Moors last weekend.

Oscar Gobern, captain Kevin Lokko, Josh Passley and Dominic Poleon replaced Michael Woods, Paul Rooney, Aaron Simpson and Shadrach Ogie.

After beginning the day 10th in the table, one point outside the play-offs, Whites have dropped to 11th, although they remain only two points outside the top seven.

Dover: Worgan, Passley, Taylor, Lokko, De Havilland, Effiong, L’Ghoul (Reason 59mins), Munns, Modeste (Simpson 59mins), Gobern, Poleon (Yusuff 70mins). Subs not used: Rooney, Rigg.

Yeovil: Nelson, Hutton, Collins, Wilkinson, Dickinson, Lee, Worthington (Bradbury 89mins), Skendi, J. Smith (Cooper 85mins), M. Richards (Dagnall 79mins), Duffus. Subs not used: C. Richards, A. Smith.

Attendance: 1,180 (128 away).