Dover Athletic 2 AFC Totton 3 match report: Whites beaten in National League South opener despite second-half George Nikaj goals

A poor first-half performance ensured Dover lost their opening-day National League South match at home against fellow newly-promoted side AFC Totton on Saturday.

Goals from Christos Batzelis, Brandon Haunstrup and Ralph Vigrass left last campaign’s Isthmian Premier play-off victors chasing the game.

Whites did get two back through striker George Nikaj, the second coming in injury time to set up a grandstand finish, but it finished 3-2 to the visitors.

The Hampshire team, who had gone up themselves through the Southern League Premier Division South play-offs last season, had started brightly and took a deserved lead on a glorious afternoon.

Left-sided player Batzelis drilled a 12th-minute effort past blind-sided Dover keeper and captain Mitch Walker from defender Tyler Cordner’s lay-off after centre-back Joe Tennent failed to get enough on an attempted headed clearance.

Midway through the half, away skipper Scott Rendell found space, only to drill inches wide of Walker’s right-hand post in front of a crowd of 759 at Crabble.

Dover finally threatened for the first time as York City loanee Cordner intervened to clear midfielder Alfie Matthews’ effort.

But AFC Totton doubled their advantage. Haunstrup came forward and thundered his powerful drive beyond a helpless Walker to find the top corner shortly before the half-hour mark.

Soon after, Whites left-back Fuad Sesay sent a shot whistling wide of keeper Ryan Gosney’s right-hand post, Matthews’ free-kick having been half-cleared.

Jimmy Ball’s team had the opportunity to effectively seal the points with 38 minutes played but Walker used his feet to deny forward Tony Lee, who had broken through.

Dover midfielder Ryan Hanson then couldn’t get enough power on a header from a long