BURGESS HILL put up a spirited show but a second-half goal was enough to give hosts Dover the Ryman 1 South title on Saturday.
It was a good quality first 45 minutes as Hillians played a full part and had the clearest chance.
A poor header back by Jon Wallis left visiting skipper Steve Harper clean through but keeper John Whitehouse was out swiftly to clear the danger with
his feet.
Harper would have been disappointed not to put that away but no more so than Wallis, especially as little more than minute later he blazed over a half chance at the other end.
Hillians keeper Chris May pulled off three fine saves before the break, two with his chest, but his side more than deserved to be on terms and the game was finely poised.
After the break it was a different story as Dover looked determined to give their fans in a crowd of 1,154 a title to celebrate.
Player-manager Andy Hessenthaler came on in a double switch just after the hour and it soon paid dividends when Jimmy Dryden, not for the first time in meetings between these two sides, scored with a superb header 12 minutes later.
That at least encouraged Hillians to shake off their defensive shackles but an equaliser never came and three points surrendered was an unlucky blow to their play-off hopes.
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