Martin Hayes is refusing to give up on Dover Athletic’s fading play-off bid and says his side will do all they can to make amends for an embarrassing defeat to arch rivals Dartford.

Whites’ Blue Square Bet South promotion hopes were severely dented on Monday after an abject performance was punished by a 4-0 defeat at Princes Park.

The result has left their play-off campaign hanging by a thread, but Hayes is urging his players to produce a performance to repay fans and keep their promotion hopes alive.

In order to reach the all-important top-five, Dover will have to beat already relegated St Albans on Saturday by at least four goals and hope Chelmsford City, who are holding the final play-off spot, slip up at home to lowly Hampton & Richmond Borough.

A defiant Hayes (pictured) said: "It’s as good as over but it is not completely over. We have just got to make sure we put together a really good performance, score lots of goals and hope we get a miracle.

"We are probably going to need God to be smiling on us. Nothing went right against Dartford and it was an embarrassing result.

"Everybody is hurting, the players. myself, the chairman who has put such a lot into this club and, of course, the fans."

Whites will be without defender Ed Harris who has been recalled from his loan spell by AFC Wimbledon.