Two changes were made from Tuesday night’s home win over Ebbsfleet United, with Dom Bernard coming in for the unavailable Charlie Cummins and Will Dawes returning from injury to line up in place of Louis Britton.
The Seagulls started the stronger side, a strike from James Dodd 20 yards out being deflected behind for a corner and then Scott Wilson having an effort from close-range kept out by away keeper Mitch Walker following Emlyn Lewis’ knock-down. Dawes then saw a 25-yard attempt blocked.
Oluwaswola Odelusi had a flick-on from Harrison Sodje’s free-kick gathered comfortably by Max Harris, while down the other end Luke Coulson headed wide from a left-footed Michael Smith attempt. Wilson then had another chance go begging when his attempt from a Coulson cross was wonderfully kept out by the diving Walker, before Callum Wood volleyed over from the resulting corner.
Half-Time: Weston-super-Mare AFC 0 – 0 Dover Athletic
Francis Mampolo was handed a good chance eight minutes into the second half, Lewis’ back-pass being collected by the Dover winger on the spin 18 yards out but Harris was alert to deny the keeper with his foot.
The visitors were to get their noses in front however, when a free-kick from out wide by Alfie Matthews was fizzed into the danger zone, the ball striking Lewis’ shin as he looked to clear but could only divert into his own net.
Liam Sercombe saw a chip from inside the area headed off the line following a dangerous run down the right by Smith, before Dawes’ 25-yard attempt was straight at Walker.
Wilson was to take his third chance that fell his way, sweeping in from 12 yards after a cross by Dawes aimed for substitute Britton was only half-cleared to the No.11’s feet inside the area.
Wilson had another chance go close, his chip from inside the area narrowly clear the bar after being poked through by Dawes. Smith saw a left-footed attempt deflect behind for a corner, while Britton saw a goal ruled for offside at the back post when attacking a Coulson cross.
The visitors were to grab the winner however, when a corner from the left bounced in the Seagulls six-yard area and Luca Cocoracchio was on hand to bundle beyond Harris.
Weston now go again on Tuesday evening at home to rivals Bath City, in a tough encounter against Darren Way’s Romans under The Optima lights.
Full-Time: Weston-super-Mare AFC 1 – 2 Dover Athletic (Wilson 64; Lewis OG 55, Cocorachhio 90+3)
Attendance: 884
Weston XI: Harris, Smith, Bernard (Britton 57), Wood, Avery, Coulson, Dodd, Wilson (King 90+7), Dawes, Lewis (C), Sercombe (Hicks 84).
Unused substitutes: Glover, Johnson, Oliver.
MOTM: James Dodd. A calm and composed performance once again from the midfielder, his precision and energetic runs forward carving Dover’s midfield apart throughout the afternoon.
