Dover Athletic 0 Billericay Town 1 match report: Whites’ Isthmian Premier lead cut to four points with Montel McKenzie getting game’s only goal from a free-kick

Dover’s Isthmian Premier lead was cut to four points as they were edged out at home to Billericay in a top-of-the-table match on Saturday.

The game’s only goal came courtesy of Montel McKenzie in the first half of a match between two free-scoring sides when - for once - defences were on top as it ended 1-0 to the visitors.

Whites, who had bounced back from defeat in their last home game with successive victories on the road, created the first chance at Crabble. Attacking midfielder Luke Baptiste glanced wide a cross from right-back Roman Charles-Cook in front of a bumper crowd of 1,236 in the fourth minute.

Gary McCann’s men threatened for the first time, with goalkeeper Jordan Gillmore getting in behind Decarrey Sheriff’s effort after he had cut off the right flank during an uneventful opening 15 minutes.

The hosts’ 20-goal striker George Nikaj attempted to find his range, only to curl just over Sam Donkin’s crossbar, before Baptiste nodded a Fuad Sesay delivery at the away keeper.

A fine point-blank save from Donkin thwarted George Wilkinson midway through the half after he had been played through by Baptiste.

Billericay thought they had gone in front in the 34th minute. Moses Emmanuel drilled beyond Gillmore after excellent right-wing play by McKenzie but Emmanuel’s celebrations were swiftly cut short by the offside flag.

But it was McKenzie himself who broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. His free-kick - which had been won as referee Joseph Dann-Pye opted to only caution Sesay for a borderline last-man challenge - took a deflection that wrong-footed Gillmore.

Alfie Matthews nearly offered an instant response for Dover, Donkin parrying his free-kick to safety in first-half stoppage time, while Nikaj blasted