Leaders Bromley slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season at Hayes Lane as Dover Athletic strengthened their own play-off credentials with a resounding victory.

Injuries and suspensions have played their part in Bromley’s recent slump, but there was little excuse for last night’s inept performance in which they were totally outplayed and outclassed.

Despite this, the hosts did enjoy a good spell of pressure early on and Bradley Goldberg spurned a great chance to open the scoring when he shot straight at the Dover keeper Mitchell Walker on 16 minutes.

But the visitors started to take control, with their two wide men creating havoc. Joe Welch denied Tom Murphy with a great point blank block before Jeff Goulding put the loose ball over.

Moments later James Rogers found the side-netting from a Moses Ademola cross and then Murphy shot wide from another Ademola cross.

Dover’s breakthrough came on 26 minutes when Ademola showed great composure and control before slipping a shot past Welch for his first goal of the season.

Murphy forced another great save from the Lillies keeper, while at the other end Goldberg’s 25 yard effort did not trouble Walker.

Devante McKain’s last ditch tackle on Barry Gogen prevented another goal.

However, Bromley’s defence was breached again on 42 minutes when Ademola crossed for Richard Orlu to head home from two yards following a poor clearance from a corner taken on the opposite side of the field.

The hosts should have reduced the arrears on 70 minutes when Brendan Kiernan’s corner was cleared to an unmarked Ali Fuseini, who headed wide from 12 yards when it seemed easier to hit the target.

However, it was game over five minutes later Rogers was tumbled over in the area and Gogan stepped up to give Welch no chance with the spot-kick.

A swerving shot from full-back Craig Stoner nearly deceived Welch, the keeper just grabbing the effort underneath the bar.

Visiting substitute Elliott Charles headed wide from close range and a miserable night for the leaders was completed in the last minute.

Murphy collected a Richard Modeste pass and ghosted past two defenders before firing home past an exposed keeper.

It might have been worse in time added on as Modeste almost scored a fifth, his volley drifting away from goal at the last moment.

Worryingly Bromley’s lead at the top of the table has been cut to just two points over Eastleigh, who have two games in hand on the Hayes Lane side.

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Bromley: Welch, Fitzgerald (McDonnell 71), Anderson, Nicholls (Kiernan 57), Waldren, McKain, Fuseini, Buchanan, May, Goldberg, Joseph-Dubois (Dennis 71). Sub not used: Jarrett. Att: 466