Cheshunt 5 Dover Athletic 2

IF DOVER fans needed reminding just how far their star has fallen in recent times, they received a rude awakening at Theobalds Lane on Saturday.

On the evidence of this display there is a long way to go before Dover can become acclimatised at this level.

Some naive defending ensured they were always going to come home empty handed, despite clawing back a 2-0 deficit with a goal either side of the interval.

Whites, who made four changes to the side that lost at Billericay, did not get going in the opening half hour. Their woes began as early as the third minute when winger Steve Wales found an acre of space on Whites' left flank, allowing him to cross for Leon Archer to score from close range.

Cheshunt looked likely to score every time they got within 30 yards of Whites' goal. And the Ambers doubled their lead just before the break as centre-back Ryan Harris was given far too much space to nod in Wales' free kick.

There was still time for Whites to reduce the deficit. Chris Wright's overhead kick was kept out by a defender’s hand and referee Kinsley had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Craig Cloke did the honours from 12 yards.

Three minutes into the second half, Athletic looked to have turned the game around with an equaliser. Although keeper Russell Ling did well to keep out Laurence Ball's low drive, Smissen drove home from home eight yards.

But Whites were behind again within five minutes. Striker Darrell Cox was allowed a criminal amount of space in which to turn and lay a perfect pass out to the overlapping Steve Obeng. Obeng cut back a cross that Archer converted from two yards.

Cheshunt’s fourth came after Ling's huge clearance was misjudged by Tom Hickman, leaving Wales to drive the ball past the exposed Pat Mullin.

Dover’s misery was completed as Harris converted a penalty after Hickman was judged to have held down substitute Andy Aransibia.

Dover: Mullin, Spiller, Rogers, Skelton, Cloke, Hickman, Ball (Smidmore-77), Lane, Smissen, Welford (Wright-17), Welch (Gregory-65).