By Richard Harvey

Dover extended their unbeaten run under new manager Mitch Brundle to three games after earning a point in the stalemate against play-off chasing Chelmsford City at Crabble.

It was a game of few chances and one dominated by the defences of both teams on Saturday in National League South.

Brundle’s team started well enough, and it needed a fine save by Chelsea loanee Edward Beach to keep out Joshua Ajayi’s volley from Luke Wanadio’s cross inside the opening minute.

A couple of minutes later, it was Chelmsford fans left screaming for a goal after Tyrone Sterling’s back pass appeared to go close to crossing the line.

Dover threatened twice in quick succession with Jordan Higgs just failing to get on the end of Wanadio’s shot before Jack Paxman’s strong run ended with the midfielder firing wide.

Dover lost right-back David Boateng to injury before the half-hour mark, minutes before George Nikaj almost gave his side the lead.

Nikaj, starting a second consecutive game after returning to Crabble following his loan spell at Ashford United, hit the bar with a curling effort from just outside the box. Captain Lee Martin reacted first and headed the rebound home before the flag went up for offside.

Chelmsford had a penalty appeal waved away after Arjanit Krasniqi, one of three former Dover players in the visitors' starting side, went to ground following a challenge from Jack Paxman.

Beach was called into action just before half-time, palming away Ajayi’s shot before Wanadio fired the rebound high over the Dover End stand.

Both sides created chances in the second half but both lacked the end product.

Former Dover winger Khale Da Costa tried a spectacular overhead kick for the Essex side following Dave Winfield’s knock down, which went just wide of Stuart Nelson’s goal.

Nelson was in action shortly after, comfortably catching Ben Brookes’ long-range free-kick before a stunning pass from Krasniqi opened up the Dover defence and set Ody Alfa free. The QPR man lifted the ball over Nelson but could only find the side netting.

Chelmsford threatened again with Nelson saving substitute Tom Blackwell’s close-range effort. The last bit of action saw Beach dive bravely at the feet of Ajayi following Martin’s free-kick.

Earlier, Brundle named the same team that beat Eastbourne at the same venue a week earlier. The only change was on the bench where Will Moses returned from injury in place of Academy youngster Kieron Agbebi.

Dover: Nelson, A Paxman, Goodman, Wanadio, Martin, Sterling, Nikaj, Ajayi (Carney 88mins), J Paxman, Boateng (Baptiste 26mins), Higgs. Subs not used: Byford, Oliver, Moses.

Chelmsford: Beach, Barnum-Bobb, Trotter, Winfield, Jackson (Yila 78mins), Da Costa (Blackwell 63mins), Alfa, Grant (Jones 75mins), Brookes, Terry, A Krasniqi. Subs not used: Marsden, James.

Referee: Matthew Norton.

Attendance: 719.