It was a familiar tale for Dover as missed chances and sloppy defending cost them against Grimsby on Saturday in the National League.

Dover sit 35 points from safety with 14 games left after suffering their 12th reverse of the season at Crabble.

Whites had a glorious chance to take a 10th-minute lead but Michael Gyasi shot wide when he was sent clean through on goal, just moments after keeper Max Crocombe did well to keep out a deflected Koby Arthur attempt.

Play-off chasing Grimsby took the lead on 27 minutes when Shaun Pearson headed in Danny Amos’ free-kick at the far post.

Henry Woods missed a good chance for Dover and almost immediately the visitors doubled their advantage, on 36 minutes, when Tristan Abrahams lobbed keeper Adam Parkes.

Jake Goodman pulled one back after a goalmouth scramble from a corner to give Dover hope five minutes before the break.

Grimsby restored their two-goal advantage with 18 minutes left, Harry Clifton setting up John McAtee who converted.

Goodman again went close for Dover before the end while Erico Sousa nearly added a fourth for the visitors.

Dover: Parkes, Goodman, Collinge, Ransom, Hanson, Woods (Parfitt-Williams 72mins), Bramble, Arthur (Caton 72mins), Krasniqi (Wilkinson 46mins), Gyasi, Pavey. Subs not used: Moses, Andre jnr.

Attendance: 831.