BROMLEY went seven points clear at the top of the league with victory at Dover Athletic last night.

It was the Lillywhites’ first success at this level in nine attempts against their Kentish rivals, having drawn two and lost six of their previous Conference South encounters since both club’s were promoted.

In a tense game, Bromley had the first chance on goal as early as the second minute when Ashley Nicholls curled his effort just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Joe Welch denied Tom Murphy with a save at the foot of the post after Chris Kinnear’s free-kick had arrived at the winger’s feet.

The game sprung to life in the 24th minute as Kinnear shot wide from a good position, and then Murphy’s cross was put over the bar by Ricky Modeste two minutes later.

Bromley opened the scoring on the half hour.

Brendan Kiernan took three defenders out with a clever back-heel, which Bradley Goldberg touched on to Joe Anderson to finish with style from close range.

Mitch Walker kept his side in the game on 34 minutes with a great double save from Goldberg and Nicholls’ follow up.

And the Dover keeper came to the rescue again on 41 minutes when quickly off his line to block with his chest at point blank range Jay May’s volley.

After Kiernan had sent a tantalising cross across the face of goal early in the second half, Dover pushed Bromley back for long periods and forced several corners but the visiting defence held firm.

Nathan Elder broke clear to shoot wildly wide when it seemed easier to find the target midway through the second half before the visitors took control.

Goldberg’s shot had the sting taken out of it by Terrell Forbes before being gathered by Walker.

May fired wide following good work by Kiernan, while Goldberg deserved better after carrying the ball 40 yards when his shot swerved away from goal at the last moment.

Bromley sealed victory with six minutes remaining with Goldberg’s 11th league goal of the season.

Nicholls won possession off Kinnear before spraying a pass out for Goldberg to run onto, the striker just beat the advancing keeper to chip high into the net from an acute angle.

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Bromley: Welch, Pooley, Anderson, Waldren, Swaine, Holland, Joseph-Dubois, Nicholls, May, Goldberg (Buchanan 90), Kiernan (Hall 90). Subs not used: Parmenter, Swallow, Oyinsan. Att: 598.