Andy Hessenthaler says he was pleased with Dover players’ application on Saturday during their FA Cup defeat to rivals Ebbsfleet.

The Fleet beat the out-of-form Whites, also of National League South, 2-0 to progress to the Third Qualifying Round.

Top scorer Dominic Poleon broke the visitors’ resistance in the first half with his 10th goal this season before defender Sido Jombati sealed their victory after the restart, with Dover manager Hessenthaler revealing striker Alfie Pavey was at fault for the second goal.

The teams had met in the league last month at Stonebridge Road, too, Ebbsfleet earning a 3-0 success on that occasion.

Asked if he had seen an improvement since the league loss from his side, which have now lost four matches in a row and six in seven, Hessenthaler replied: “I think, second half here in the league, we changed the shape and I thought we gathered momentum in the game without really creating too many chances.

“We had probably more of the ball and we were growing into it. But listen, it was always going to be a difficult game.

“We’ve been giving sloppy goals away and we gave another one away today. There’s a free header for the lad [Jombati], Alfie Pavey has held his hand up.

• Report: Ebbsfleet 2-0 Dover

“Was I pleased with my players? Yes, they had a right go.

“We worked on it for two days this week in terms of trying to stop the flow of their play, but it almost looks like they have an extra man at times. But that’s what they do and they do it well, credit to them.

“Was I pleased with my boys? Yes.

"We are on a bit of a poor run at the moment but our bread and butter is next week, we have to go and get a result at Weymouth.”

Whites made four changes which saw Pavey recalled and he was partnered up front by Reece Grant against his old club, while Tyrone Sterling and Arjanit Krasniqi came in too. They replaced Alfie Paxman, Luke Wanadio, George Wilkinson and Chike Kandi.

Explaining those changes, as Whites played with three centre-halves in Sterling, Mitch Brundle and Jake Goodman, Hessenthaler said: “That was just because of the opposition, the opposition are very good, aren’t they?

“We tried to stop their flow of play and I've got to say, whatever shape you play against them, they always find a way. You have to give them a lot of credit.

“They are a very good side, they work on it as a full-time team, and you can see that, can’t you?

“We’re not silly, we can see how good they are. It helps when you can work on it day-in, day-out.”

While Dover are 19th in the league, just two points above the relegation zone, Dennis Kutrieb’s side have won all nine of their encounters this term in all competitions.

Hessenthaler has backed Ebbsfleet, who lost out last season in the play-off final, to earn National League promotion this time around.

He said: “Listen, let’s have a bit of realism. These are the best side in the league by a country mile - it’s as simple as that.

“That’s why they are beating everybody, eight wins in the league and nine now with the cup [victory]. You have to put that into it.

“They do this seven days a week - or however long they train - I know they train a lot, from speaking to Marts [Lee Martin]. They play like Sheffield United did when they won the league, to be fair, with their centre-halves joining in. They are completely well-drilled and I can see why they are beating the teams that they are.

“If they don’t go up, it will be a travesty. I think they will go up this year, I think it’s their time. So we have to put that into perspective.

“I thought we had a go, we tried to contain them. We had a few moments and the keeper [Mark Cousins] made a good save low down to his left. If that goes in, you just never know, that might unsettle them a little bit.

“But look, these are a good side. When the draw came out, for us, we just didn’t get that little bit of luck.

“Credit to them, they are the best team in the league by a mile, and they were the best team today. I wish them good luck.”