Dover 2 Bath City 1: Bath City were left to come away from their long trip empty-handed despite a battling display against the league leaders.

Even after going a goal down in the 65th minute, City battled back and thought they had salvaged a point with a goal in stoppage-time.

In a three-man move, the ball was played wide to Darren Edwards, who skilfully lobbed Dover goalkeeper Lee Hook, to silence the home fans.

However, as Dover played the ball forward from the restart, and with the two minutes of additional time already signalled having elapsed, referee Phil Knight played on.

He later stated to City manager Adie Britton that he was allowing additional time for City's ecstatic, although hardly excessive, goal celebrations.

As the clock ticked down, substitute Adam Birchall raced into the box to fire his side back in front.

As the match again restarted, the referee blew the final whistle, causing the City players to slump to the ground in disbelief.

Earlier it had hardly been the performance of champions as City's makeshift shift XI, including at least two players still suffering from injuries, had easily contained Dover and at times threatened the home side's 100 per cent record.

Marcus Browning, playing in an unfamiliar role of centre-back, put in a fine performance, while City's new Romanian signing Florin Pelecaci made a confident start.

The difference lay in the second-half performance of former Barnet player Birchall.

Coming on to replace the lacklustre Lee Browning after the interval, he drove the home attack forward and combined well with fellow substitute Jerahl Hughes to get the first goal, before sending the crowd into raptures with his last-gasp winner.