Dover Athletic boss Jake Leberl reacts to 2-0 National League South derby defeat to Maidstone United

Jake Leberl had few complaints after Dover’s derby defeat to Maidstone on Easter Friday.

While Whites look like they almost certainly will not be relegated from National League South in their first season back at the level, their campaign is petering out as a 2-0 loss to George Elokobi’s Stones made it three defeats in a row for them.

They fell behind to a 12th-minute own goal before Jephte Tanga added a stoppage-time second at Crabble for play-off hopefuls Maidstone.

“It’s disappointing,” reflected Dover boss Leberl, whose troops were edged out 1-0 by Maidstone at the Gallagher Stadium on Boxing Day. “I will say, I thought they deserved their win and they were strong all over the pitch.

“We had a couple of chances in the first half, where we have hit the crossbar and, obviously, the first goal is really important.

“I’m disappointed with the (first) goal. I don’t really know what happened! I think it ended up being an own goal, a bit of a ricochet, and we huffed and puffed.

“Like I’ve said to the boys, I’ve questioned a couple of their performances of late - but I did think everyone gave their all. Obviously, we’re struggling for numbers.

“Quite a few of the boys are patched-up, going up against a side that are pushing for the play-off places, who are a really strong outfit and really difficult to play against.”

Either side of the Stones’ first goal, which saw Christie Pattisson’s shot deflect off the recalled Roman Charles-Cook and into the net, Ruben Soares-Junior headed a Luke Baptiste corner against the crossbar before a left-footed strike by fellow forward George Nikaj from wide on the left flank was given almost the exact same fate.

Leberl said: “The first goal in games is always important.

“Maidstone are the sort