Dover Athletic 0 Worthing 2 match report: National League South frontrunners beat Whites at Crabble as one-time Tonbridge Angels player Nicky Wheeler and substitute Reece Meekums score

There was a first National League South home defeat this season for Dover against early frontrunners Worthing on Saturday.

The goals in their 2-0 loss came early and late as Nicky Wheeler put the Rebels in front and substitute Reece Meekums wrapped it up.

A similar tale at Crabble for the hosts, who have struggled to begin matches quickly enough this term, saw them concede first after another slow start.

One-time Tonbridge winger Wheeler caught out Bournemouth’s on-loan home goalkeeper Billy Terrell with an eighth-minute effort from 25 yards out which crashed against the crossbar before bouncing over the line.

Five minutes later, right winger Joseph Felix flashed inches wide of an outstretched Terrell - 20 on Thursday - with the possession-based visitors putting in a dominant first-half display.

Although Mitch Brundle’s men started to get into it somewhat, left-back Chevron McLean over-hit a cross in a virtually chanceless half for them in front of a 727-strong crowd.

The 25th minute then saw Terrell thwart teenage frontman Sonny Fish after a strong run and left-wing delivery by Portsmouth loanee Liam Vincent.

Fish should have added a second which Adam Hinselwood’s troops probably deserved shortly before the interval. But the promising home keeper made a fantastic save to deny him after another left-wing cross found the visiting player in lots of space.

Six minutes after the restart, both sides had an opportunity each. Dover striker Zidan Sutherland created their best opening, only for his shot to fall the wrong side of away keeper Roco Rees’ right-hand post, before Felix flashed wide.

Terrell again had to be at his best to deny Vincent before a home corner was dropped by Rees and Whites’ Michael Olarewaju saw his shot