Dover responded after back-to-back defeats as they comfortably beat Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday in National League South.

Goals from centre-back Jake Goodman and midfielder Jordan Higgs put them 2-0 in front at half-time, with Alfie Pavey also failing to convert a penalty in the first period.

Hemel looked to hit back after the restart but late efforts from substitute Noah Carney and the impressive Luke Baptiste sealed their victory.

Whites had the first opportunity with four minutes played at Crabble, Pavey latched on to a Goodman header forward from the back but he sent the ball well over.

There was another half-chance for the hosts on 13 minutes when a clever flick by winger Luke Wanadio found skipper Lee Martin who was thwarted by Hemel goalkeeper Craig King, formerly of Dartford.

Soon after at the other end, on-loan Dover keeper Ryan Sandford had to be alive to get down low to deny Michael Dada on his way to a clean sheet.

But Andy Hessenthaler’s team drew first blood in the 16th minute. Myles Judd stood up a cross from the right and Pavey headed down to Goodman. With his back to goal, the big defender produced an overhead kick from around six yards out to find the net.

The impressive Dada was looking like Hemel’s greatest threat, though, and he tried his luck on 19 minutes but he missed the target as Mark Jones’ side tried to hit back.

Nine minutes later, Whites won a penalty. Alfie Paxman’s long throw from the left found its way to Pavey at the far post and he was adjudged to have been fouled by Hemel’s top scorer Jordan Greenidge by referee Harry Wager but Pavey struck the spot-kick straight at King who made the save.

The visitors made an early substitution just after the half-hour mark, as Bradley Webb came on for Bayley Brown.

Hemel came close to an equaliser in the 36th minute. Cole DaSilva managed to get in behind Paxman and cut back to Charlee Hughes whose effort was deflected over off Goodman, with the resultant corner coming to nothing.

The away team were made to pay for that miss six minutes later when Whites doubled their lead. Left-back Paxman found Martin and he slotted the ball through to Higgs who steadied himself and curled into the net for his second goal of the season to make it 2-0 to Dover at the break.

Looking for a response, the Tudors made a good start after the restart. Former Dartford loanee Greenidge went close with 50 minutes on the clock before the home defence - eventually - scrambled clear.

The away team threatened again on 56 minutes, only for Paxman to make a crucial interception. Baptiste then attempted to start a counter-attack but Chike Kandi’s right-wing cross went out of play.

Whites should have put the result beyond doubt in the 64th minute when Pavey headed wide a right-wing cross from close range.

With 19 minutes of normal time to go, Sandford looked beaten, however Hemel’s DaSilva saw his shot strike the base of the post.

Ogu Obi went close to pulling one back for the visitors nine minutes from time, Sandford tipping wide the substitute’s effort.

But four minutes later, substitute Carney put the result beyond doubt. He latched on to a long ball forward from Sandford and, having scored his first senior goal the previous weekend, he got his first home senior goal.

Things got even better in stoppage-time for the Dover contingent. Baptiste capped a fine performance with a mazy run which ended with the midfielder firing past Hemel keeper King.

Having won once at home last season, Whites, who are up to seventh in the table, have already claimed two victories this term at Crabble in National League South.

They last won 4-0 at home in December 2017 as they beat Hartlepool United and this equalled their biggest league victory since they earned a 5-1 success over AFC Fylde in February 2020, prior to the Covid pandemic.

Whites made one change to their starting line-up from the one which lost 4-2 at Havant as Baptiste came in for Arjanit Krasniqi.

Having recovered from injury, striker Reece Grant took his place on the bench, leaving young defender Alex Green (elbow) as the club’s only injury absentee.

Defender Tyrone Sterling was also not involved in the match-day squad for the second successive match.

Dover are back in action on Monday for the second time in three days, visiting leaders Ebbsfleet who have a perfect record from their first five league games.

Dover Athletic: Sandford, Judd, Paxman, Goodman, Brundle, Higgs, Martin (Carney 83mins), Wanadio, Baptiste, Pavey (Grant 89mins), Kandi (Krasniqi 74mins). Subs not used: Nelson, Moses.

Hemel Hempstead Town: King, DaSilva, Brown (Webb 32mins), Poku, Westbrook, Roberts, Dada, Hope, Greenidge (Fashanmade 69mins), Hughes (Obi 61mins), Castigilone. Subs not used: Williams, Saunders.

Referee: Harry Wager.

Attendance: 603.