Dover Athletic's Alfie Pavey urges strike partner Chike Kandi to stick with him up front and stay on the goal trail

Alfie Pavey is urging Dover strike partner Chike Kandi to stick with him up top if he wants to stay on the goal trail.

Both Pavey and Kandi scored on Saturday as Whites beat Braintree 3-1 in National League South.

Pavey netted his side’s third goal having set up Kandi to score Dover’s opener while substitute Luke Baptiste bagged a scrappy goal.

For Kandi, it was a second goal in as many games and Pavey said: “We keep trying to tell him to stay high.

“There’s no point in him, dropping in when his game is running in behind. He has got the strength and he’s got the power to do that.

“Okay at times, it’s tough for him to keep doing it [running in behind], I understand that as a striker.

“But the more games he plays, the fitter he’ll get, and the more understanding he’ll get that - if he stays close to me - I’ll give him opportunities.”

Pavey headed in at Crabble after centre-back Jake Goodman had got on the end of a high Alfie Paxman free-kick, ending a run of seven matches without a goal for the frontman.

He said: “I’ve been a bit frustrated the last few weeks and missed a penalty a few weeks back as well [in the win against Hemel]. I think that’ll help my confidence going forwards.

“I know I’m going to score goals if balls are going to be put into the box, that’s my game. I’m delighted, not just with the three points, but to get on the scoresheet on Saturday as well.”

The win means Andy Hessenthaler’s men are three matches unbeaten - their longest unbeaten run since prior to the Covid pandemic - as Whites slowly start to rebuild after a disastrous campaign last season which ended in relegation from the National League.

“Look, I think it’s fair to say we’re a new squad put together in the summer,” said Pavey. “Pre-season