Dover Athletic manager Jake Leberl praises 20-goal striker Ruben Soares-Junior after 3-1 defeat at Dartford in Isthmian Premier

Dover manager Jake Leberl praised striker Ruben Soares-Junior after he reached 20 goals in Friday’s defeat at Dartford.

Whites’ play-off hopes suffered a setback against the title-chasing Darts but Soares-Junior impressed in attack.

Soares-Junior hit the post at the end of the first half but goal the goal his efforts certainly warranted late on to make it 20 for the season.

George Nikaj has already reached that level and Luke Baptiste is just one goal away from joining the club.

“It’s a magnificent achievement,” said Leberl. “I think Luke Baptiste is one short of getting 20 league goals as well. So, to have three boys get 20 goals is pretty much unheard of.

“In fact, I tried to look it up and I've asked a couple of people, and I don't know whether it's happened before at these levels, or many levels.

“They've been absolutely fantastic. They have scored some, you know, unbelievable goals and full credit to them.

“Ruben deserved his goal, he was really unlucky with the one in the first half that hit the post.

“He's a top talent, but more importantly, he's a top guy. He's been absolutely brilliant for us.

“He's been captain since Mitch Walker has been out. He’s taken it on board, he's a real leader and I'm delighted for him to get his 20th goal.

“He leads by example, on and off the pitch, and he’s been absolutely brilliant for us.”

As for the defeat at Dartford, Leberl felt his team were lacking physically against Ady Pennock’s men.

It was a turnaround from the first meeting between the two teams earlier in the season.

“I thought they looked like champions, I really did,” said Leberl. “Very, very difficult to play against a group of real strong, strong boys.

“Actually, I thought there was a little bit of men against boys