DOVER Athletic enter the final third of their season when they travel to Nuneaton Borough on Saturday knowing that the next three months are arguably the most important in the club’s history.

The battle to win a place in the Conference South next season now takes precedence after the disappointment of last Saturday’s FA Trophy exit at Hednesford.

The top 13 in the Dr Martens Premier Division will qualify for the new second tier of non-league football and Whites are currently occupying 13th spot. Although they are only four points off fifth place, Whites are still nervously looking over their shoulders, with arguably all of the sides below them still capable of finishing in that elusive 13th spot.

And with Dover having a tough run-in against a number of the sides around them, it looks as though a nail-biting end to the season could be on the cards if their inconsistent form continues.

A tough few games start with the trip to Nuneaton, although the pre-season title-favourites are currently going through severe difficulties after their surprise relegation from the Conference last year.

Manager Alan Lewer recently left his post due to cutbacks and the club are rumoured to be heavily in debt after gambling on bouncing straight back into the Conference.

Whites keeper Paul Hyde said: “It will be a tough game. They have had a number of problems recently but it is not a nice place to go. They will be as physical as Hednesford.

“But we need to get back to the basics and be defensively tight as well as potent in front of goal.

“The next few games are crucial as it is vital that we qualify for the Conference South. The league is so tight, with a number of draws due to all the clubs in this league being desperate not to lose ground on that top-13 spot.”

On Tuesday, Whites are away to Dr Martens League Cup-holders Crawley Town in the quarter-finals of the cup.

Dover will again be missing Andy Arnott and Mark Patterson for the upcoming games as they are still some way short of fitness, while Nicky Humphrey and Danny Chapman will have late fitness tests before Saturday on niggling injuries.

However, utility man James Millar will be available for selection after missing Tuesday’s cup win over Folkestone due to a clause in his recent transfer between the two clubs.