Josh Ajayi’s first Dover goal saw them earn a comeback win over Eastbourne which ended a six-game winless run on Saturday.

Leone Gravata put Boro ahead early on but centre-back Tyrone Sterling’s bullet header levelled things up.

And a deflected second-half effort by former Ramsgate striker Ajayi proved the difference between the two teams during their 2-1 triumph.

The visitors couldn’t have asked for a better start at Crabble, as they broke the deadlock inside the first two minutes in front of a crowd of 629.

A quick throw-in from the right found winger Gravata at the back post and he scored from yards out.

The 14th minute saw Boro waste a free-kick from a good area amid an encouraging start for them. Alfie Bendle’s effort was blocked before Jaden Perez then sent the ball sailing over.

Mitch Brundle’s men had their first opportunity, six minutes later. It took a fine fingertip save from away goalkeeper Lee Worgan on his Crabble return to push wide Ajayi’s curling shot.

The hosts did level on the half-hour mark, though, after sustained pressure.

Ajayi somehow couldn’t quite score at the far post from skipper Lee Martin's corner. But Wanadio whipped in a great right-wing cross which was attacked by Sterling who powered in his first goal of the season with his head.

On-loan Dover midfielder Jack Paxman was having a growing influence on the game and his free-kick on 35 minutes was beaten away by Worgan.

Midfielder Jordan Higgs came agonisingly close to getting on the end of a magnificent Martin free-kick in the 40th minute.

Three minutes later, though, Danny Bloor’s troops nearly retook the lead against the run of play. Perez played through Shiloh Remy who was thwarted by home goalkeeper Stuart Nelson.

George Nikaj could have given the home side a dream start to the second period. Eastbourne defender Jack Burchell didn’t put enough on a header to Worgan in the 47th minute and Nikaj nipped in before firing wide.

Seconds later, Academy product Nikaj tried his luck again, testing the Boro keeper who gathered.

One-time Tottenham trialist Ajayi’s first Dover goal then put them ahead on the hour mark. A quick free-kick from Martin gave Ajayi the chance and his shot was deflected into the top corner to spark home celebrations.

Five minutes later, Nikaj controlled a cross well before he was again denied by Worgan.

Only a sublime piece of keeping from Nelson then denied the away side a leveller midway through the second half. The 41-year-old needed all his experience to tip captain Charlie Walker’s free-kick against the crossbar and was up first to mop up.

More good football from Whites in the 78th minute saw Ajayi fire over from distance.

As they searched for a third to end the contest, Worgan parried an Ajayi strike to deny the hosts a third while Martin saw his strike blocked at the end of the same move.

In the final seconds of normal time, however, an Eastbourne corner flashed across the face of goal, but Dover survived.

It was the first time Dover have come from behind to claim a victory since before the pandemic as they avenged their loss at Priory Lane earlier in the season, earning their first victory since Brundle was named Andy Hessenthaler's permanent successor in the process.

The result leaves Brundle's troops 15th while Boro are 10th, three points adrift of the play-offs, after three successive defeats in all competitions.

Whites boss Brundle had made three changes. Wanadio, young striker Nikaj - back from his latest loan at Isthmian South East Ashford - and Sterling replaced the suspended Myles Judd, George Wilkinson and Noah Carney.

Ex-Whites keeper Worgan was in goal for Boro while on-loan Crawley midfielder Florian Kastrati, signed before the match, was on their bench and came on for the last 20 minutes.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, A.Paxman, Goodman, Wanadio, Martin, Sterling, Nikaj, Ajayi (Baptiste 89mins), J.Paxman, Boateng, Higgs. Subs not used: Carney, Byford, Oliver, Agbebi.

Eastbourne Borough: Worgan, Burchell, Innocent, Dickenson, Bartley, Perez (Pitoula-Wabo 78mins), Walker, Bendle, Remy, Pearce (Kastrati 70mins), Gravata. Subs not used: Bull, Houlter, Scarlett.

Referee: Andrew Humphries.

Attendance: 629.