Dover's National League season began with defeat at home to Wrexham on Saturday.

Mike Fondop's superb 29th minute bicycle kick proved decisive with Dover left to rue a penalty miss by debutant Inih Effiong in first-half injury time.

The loss was Dover's first in nine league meetings with Wrexham having previously recorded four wins and four draws.

Home boss Chris Kinnear named the same starting line-up which had faced Woking in the final pre-season game which meant places for five of their summer signings, Effiong, Jack Connors, Tim Schmoll, Bedsente Gomis and Kevin Lokko, who was on loan at the end of last season. Two more, Moussa Diarra and Dave Smith were on the bench.

Only two places separated the sides last season and there was little to choose between them in the opening quarter.

Jamie Allen looked Dover's liveliest player and he almost broke the deadlock on 11 minutes when he rattled the crossbar with an instinctive strike from 20 yards.

For the visitors Luke Young twice dragged shots wide from 20 yards – the second after some particularly good build-up play involving Paul Rutherford and Luke Summerfield.

Fondop looked full of confidence after five goals in six pre-season games and he showed his strength when he embarked on a surging run only to scuff his shot wide when glory beckoned.

However if the big forward was found wanting on that occasion he showed real class when he put the Welshmen ahead just before the half-hour.

It was Fondop's persistence which forced the corner and although Whites dealt with the initial danger the ball was swung back in by Kevin Roberts and Fondop cleverly hooked the ball home with his back to goal.

Gomis missed the chance to provide a swift riposte for Dover when he screwed his volley wide and then, in the dying seconds of the half Effiong was caught in the box by Akil Wright and referee David Rock pointed straight to the spot.

Effiong stepped up the take the kick but his low effort was pushed away to his right by Wrexham keeper Rob Lainton, who is on loan from Port Vale.

Wrexham did not sit on their lead in the second half, making for an open game but chances were few and far between.

Josh Passley put a teasing ball across the face of the Wrexham goal in the opening seconds, but thereafter Whites struggled to get in behind the visiting defence.

For Wrexham Young had a fierce goalbound effort blocked and Summerfield got good whip on a free-kick but it was straight at Mitch Walker.

Kinnear replaced Gomis with Kadell Daniel in the final quarter but despite pushing hard the hosts were unable to find an equaliser.

Indeed Wrexham skipper Shaun Pearson almost doubled his side's lead when his header was blocked on the line in a crowded goalmouth.

There was a touch of late controversy when Allen poked home after Lainton had dropped the ball, it seemed after being baulked by his own defender, but Mr Rock awarded the keeper a free-kick.

Dover: Walker, Passley, Essam, Schmoll, Lokko, Connors, Brundle, Gomis (Daniel 73mins), Nortey, Allen, Effiong (Diarra 90mins): Subs: Lewington, Smith, Okosieme.

Wrexham: Lainton; Roberts, M Smith, Pearson, Jennings; Wright, Young; Summerfield; Beavon (Maguire-Drew 58mins), Fondop (Pyke 80mins), Rutherford (Carrington 82mins); Subs: Dibble, Tharme.

Attendance: 1359.