Boss Andy Hessenthaler had Dover’s players in for extra training on Sunday after conceding they were not good enough in their defeat at Eastbourne Borough.

Whites have won two of their opening seven National League South fixtures.

Against Eastbourne on Saturday, Luke Wanadio equalised after ex-Gillingham man Chris Whelpdale had scored for the hosts. But Jake Hutchinson restored Eastbourne’s lead and the Colchester loanee netted again at the start of the second half.

“We were not good enough - it’s as simple as that,” said Hessenthaler. “There’s no hiding away from it.

“We had a good spell when we were 1-0 down and scored a very good goal. But it’s criminal defending for the first goal after a couple of minutes, then we get back into the game and score, but we conceded straight after we scored. Even the third one was just after half-time.

“You cannot legislate for that, the boys know that. It was exactly the same against Ebbsfleet. If we cut the mistakes out, we will be fine.

“It was a frustrating afternoon, we expected to do a lot better. We have come under a bit of criticism, which is fair enough.

“We were in on Sunday. But I have got to give my players a lot of credit because we are not a full-time outfit.

“According to some at Eastbourne, we are a full-time outfit but we are not. Getting them in on a Sunday was harsh on them but they worked hard.

“We trained again on Monday and a lot of them went to work in the afternoon after that. There’s people working in warehouses and Alfie Paxman for Tesco.

“We just train two or three mornings a week, whereas other teams train in the evening and work during the day.”

Hessenthaler doesn’t think it will take long for 16th-placed Dover to iron out their early-season defensive problems.

He said: “It’s not hard to work on, it’s just the basics.

"Lee Martin spoke about it in his interview after the game. It’s just basic stuff and it’s not just the defenders - it’s everybody.

“On Thursday, we will do the same. Unfortunately for us, players are making individual errors at the moment and they are getting punished for it. But if we can cut that out, we will be fine.

“We just have to find some consistency. The good teams are the ones that can find that.”

Winger Wanadio has - at least - made an early impact after switching from Folkestone and the former Dartford man opened his account for the season at the weekend.

Hessenthaler said: “I have got to say he has been a stand-out player. He was excellent on Saturday in a poor performance - as was Lee Martin.

“Lee was excellent first half, before we had to change things, and Wads has been excellent. He has been our most consistent player, long may that continue.”

Whites will aim to respond after back-to-back defeats at home to Slough this Saturday, with an earlier kick-off time of 1pm.

Player-assistant manager Mitch Brundle remains a doubt but there was positive news on midfielder Jordan Higgs with an X-Ray showing no break to his ankle.

“We’ve got to be up for that,” said Hessenthaler.

“There’s a change of kick-off time but we have to get a win. They are a good footballing side, it’s not going to be an easy game.

“Elliot Benyon is experienced and he knows where the goal is. John Goddard was at Woking and he’s got good experience but we have got to bounce back.

“We have done all right at home - we have two wins and we should have maybe had three - so we need to build on that.”

Teenage winger George Nikaj has signed for Isthmian South East Ashford on a one-month loan and made his debut as they beat Hanworth Villa 2-1 in the FA Cup before scoring the only goal in Ashford's league home win over Sevenoaks on Tuesday.

“He has got to get some game time, he needs men’s football,” Hessenthaler said on Monday.

“I know Tommy Warrilow [Ashford’s manager] well, he will look after him. He did well on Saturday and hopefully he will come back better from it.”

Dover will host Dartford in the league on Tuesday night.

They have been drawn away to Ebbsfleet in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on September 17.