Dover Athletic boss Jake Leberl reacts to 2-1 National League South derby defeat at Tonbridge Angels

Dover manager Jake Leberl felt Tonbridge’s players wanted it more than his own troops in their National League South derby defeat on Saturday.

Whites had held a 1-0 first-half lead through a goal by defender Jalen Jones, only for a half-time change in shape from Angels to quickly reap reward as home skipper Scott Wagstaff levelled before substitute Brody Peart got the game’s all-important third goal as it ended 2-1 to Tonbridge at Longmead.

“I didn’t think we were great in the first half,” Leberl reflected.

“I felt we did all right and, obviously, we scored a good goal with Jalen. But I always felt it wasn’t quite right today for whatever reason.

“Maybe, there was a little bit of complacency and, to be honest, I felt they wanted it more than us, which is disappointing.”

Jones’ second goal this season on 24 minutes in front of a segregated 1,250 attendance had put Leberl’s men in command.

But inside three second-half minutes, veteran midfielder Wagstaff, 35, slotted in the hosts’ equaliser after away goalkeeper and captain Mitch Walker could only parry a long-range drive by Bailey Akehurst.

Report: Tonbridge 2-1 Dover

Left-back Akehurst was involved again as he crossed for Wycombe loanee forward Peart to complete Tonbridge’s turnaround shortly before the hour mark.

“They scored very early on in the second half and they got on top,” noted Leberl. “Then, they scored again and we never really recovered.

“I’m just bitterly disappointed, really, with us coming out for the second half, conceding two early goals and not really having a go late on.

“We didn’t have any chances and, overall, we got what we deserved.”

On the goals his team conceded, Leberl added: “For the first one, it’s swerving all over the place, Mitch has