Dover Athletic manager Jake Leberl on 2-1 National League South defeat to Ebbsfleet United

Dover manager Jake Leberl was pleased with his side’s performance after running Ebbsfleet all the way on Tuesday night.

Whites lost 2-1 at Crabble against their full-time visitors in a National League South derby but it was a gutsy display by Leberl’s men.

“I'm really proud of the boys,” said the Dover boss. “I thought we put on a good performance and we took them right to the wire.

“Really disappointing to not get something out of the game, to be honest.

“I can't be too down. I was really pleased with the reaction, really pleased with all of their performances. There was no weak link amongst us.

“We’re disappointed not to get (something) out of the game, which we generally believe we deserved.

“A little bit disappointed with the referee, not that I like to go on about that, but there were a few decisions that we felt aggrieved (with), even the late one when it's a clear corner to mount a little bit more pressure.

“We think there was probably a penalty in there with Sheriff, but it wasn't given and we've just got to get on with it, really. I don't want to stand here and moan about decisions.

“We've got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and we need to fight harder, work harder and try and stop this rut to start getting points back on the board.”

Leberl admitted it needed two moments of quality from Ebbsfleet to score their goals but he knew what was coming for the opener after Toby Edser scored a similar effort against Farnborough only weeks earlier.

“Really disappointed with their first goal,” added Leberl. “They've scored a virtually identical goal like that just recently, and we watched it on the TV in the changing room and said what they're about.

“It’s an unbelievable finish, a real bit of quality, which obviously