Bromley took the spoils from their National League clash against Dover at Crabble on Saturday.

The impressive Corey Whitely struck early for the visitors who also had a first-half penalty which was not converted by the usually-prolific Michael Cheek.

Although Ben Williamson hit the post in second-half stoppage-time for Dover, the visitors held on to claim the three points.

Andy Woodman’s Bromley side started brightly and broke the deadlock on seven minutes with their first real opportunity.

Ex-Ebbsfleet man Whitely cut in off the left flank, went past full-back Seth Twumasi and fired beyond Whites keeper Adam Parkes at his near post.

Dover looked for a quick response with midfielder TJ Bramble forcing a fingertip save from keeper Mark Cousins with a strike from the edge of the penalty box.

Bromley wasted a golden opportunity to double their advantage in the 13th minute when referee Sunny Gill awarded them a penalty after Whitely was fouled by Jake Goodman.

Top scorer Cheek, who had scored in every league fixture before this game, was denied his seventh league goal of the campaign by Watford loan man Parkes as the striker attempted to drill hit spot-kick down the middle.

With Dover’s defence being overrun, home boss Andy Hessenthaler made an early change. Matt Bentley, who only signed this week, came on for defender former Margate man Goodman and slotted in at right midfield. The hosts, who had started with a back three, switching to a 4-4-2 diamond formation.

Just after the half-hour mark, young midfielder Marcus Sablier tried his luck for Bromley after the ball sat up nicely around 20 yards from goal but Parkes was equal to the effort.

Whites improved after the early change but were still being found lacking in the final third.

Bromley had another chance to double their lead on 42 minutes when George Alexander found Jude Arthurs who was thwarted by Parkes.

The visitors started the second half the way they had started the first as Luke Coulson found Alexander who was unable to steer his shot towards goal, four minutes after the restart.

Cheek came incredibly close to a superb goal on 55 minutes. His free-kick crashed against the upright with Parkes well beaten and, despite appeals from the away contingent that the ball had crossed the line, play continued.

There were opportunities at both ends just after the hour mark. Great work by Whitely put Alexander clean through on goal but he fired wide when he should have done better. A minute later, appeals for a home penalty for a handball were waved away as skipper Sam Wood’s long-range strike was charged down and went out for a corner.

Midway through the second half, Cheek tried his luck with another free-kick which, this time, was straight at Parkes. Visiting keeper Cousins then thwarted Williamson whose effort had taken a wicked deflection as the match became more end-to-end.

With 15 minutes to play, Ricky Miller lifted his free-kick over the wall but Cousins tipped the ball over the bar as Miller's wait for his first competitive goal back at Crabble goes on.

Cousins was the busier of the two keepers in the latter stages of the match and he was called into action to deny defender Danny Collinge after a Wood free-kick.

At the start of six minutes of stoppages, Dover came desperately close when Williamson’s long-range shot went through a crowd of players and crashed against the post.

The away side broke towards the end and substitute Liam Trotter found Alexander who rounded Parkes, only to direct his effort against the post.

There was more drama in the final seconds as Dover boss Hessenthaler was booked, but his side could not find a leveller.

Whites had made one change from the team which drew 0-0 with Solihull Moors on Tuesday, captain Wood replacing Millwall loanee Junior Tiensia. There was also a welcome return to the bench for Koby Arthur who missed out in midweek with a hamstring injury.

Dover remain bottom of the table while Bromley are now in 10th.

Dover: Parkes, Wood, Bramble, Goodman (Bentley 28mins), Miller (Da Costa 78mins), Williamson, Cosgrave (Arthur 66mins), Twumasi, Ransom, Woods, Collinge. Subs not used: Bexon, Carney.

Bromley: Cousins, Partington, Bingham, Bush, Coulson, Arthurs (Trotter 58mins), Cheek, Webster, Whitely (Mnoga 84mins), Alexander, Sablier (Dennis 66mins). Subs not used: Alabi, Lawlor.

Referee: Sunny Gill.

Attendance: 927 (101 away).

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