Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler refused to be critical of his players after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Chorley on Saturday.

The result made it three games without a win for Whites, who still sit seventh in the National League after an excellent start to the campaign.

Besides Ricky Modeste's first half opener, the hosts were unable to add the clinical touch to a number of opportunities to wrap up the three points.

Inih Effiong was presented with the best chance in the second half as he raced clear on goal before firing his shot straight at goalkeeper Billy Crellin.

Hessenthaler said: "We didn't really get going again, it's been disappointing the last couple of games really.

"We've lost our way at home a little bit which has continued because we've only won the one game. It feels like we've lost our mojo a bit.

"I'm not here to be critical of the players, we had a calm chat in there (the dressing room).

"If Inih scores it wins the game, it kills the game.

• Match report: Dover settle for point against Chorley after Ricky Modeste's opener

"We'll play a lot better than that and lose games."

There were also question marks over Chorley's second half equaliser, with Dover goalkeeper Lee Worgan convinced that goalscorer Chris Holroyd had tapped home from an offside position.

Hessenthaler added: "For me it looked offside, Worgs (Lee Worgan) has said their player has already said it was offside and he knows the player so that's a big call and that's cost us an extra two points.

"If he's got the wrong call, that will go down on a low mark for them because you can't get that wrong.

"We can't hide behind that, we just didn't get going.

"For some reason we've just lost our way a bit, we've just got to find that way again and that's got to come from the players, myself and the staff.

"It's not a crisis, we're seventh in the table, is it that bad? No. It's just that it could be a lot better."

Hessenthaler also admitted he may rejig his team again as he strives to find the right balance and added creativity.

He explained: "They made it difficult. They're fighting to get points. It doesn't matter who you're playing, it's difficult. We're finding a little bit of a baron spell.

"I thought in general we defended well against a tricky team.

• Dover winger Marshall Wratten leaves the club on loan

"From open play when we got the ball we just sat in there and were too predictable, we worked on that yesterday with getting players forward.

"It's difficult to break teams down when they're playing five and you've got to be clever.

"The only bit of clever play we had got the goal, that's a bit of game intelligence from Ricky (Modeste).

"We've got to look at things, whether that's a change in shape.

"I'm a believer that it's not about shape, it's about players setting the tone and setting the tempo and having a bit of belief. We didn't really have that today.

"I'm happy with the personnel."

Dover were without both skipper Kevin Lokko and Bobby-Joe Taylor due to injury, the latter of whom's attacking threat down the left-hand side has been dearly missed in recent weeks.

"We've been a bit disjointed through injuries," said Hessenthaler.

"We lost Kev (Lokko) through a bad ankle, Bobby (Joe Taylor) also being one of them.

"We've lost that balance with Bobby being in there and that creativity with his left foot."

They were, however, boosted by the return of Ricky Modeste from international duty with Grenada, with the winger coming in for more high praise from his manager.

"We miss Ricky when he goes away," admitted Hessenthaler.

"He gives us that energy, even today he was probably the standout player going forward.

"He's got the goal, but he's causing problems with his movement and desire.

"I've been really happy with Ricky, it's just disappointing we keep losing him, it's not ideal for us because as an attacking force he's been our main threat at times."

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