We got out of jail, admits Hessenthaler

ANDY HESSENTHALER says Carshalton Athletic were the best side that he’s seen at Perrys Crabble in the time that he has been the Dover Athletic manager.

The Robbins, unbeaten on their travels this season, came within minutes of being the first side to win at Dover this season, but a last-gasp equaliser from Jerahl Hughes snatched a 2-2 draw.

Although it ended Dover Athletic’s 100% home record, Hessenthaler’s men are eighteen points clear at the top of the Ryman Premier League table, although second placed side Staines Town, who arrive at Perrys Crabble next month, have four games in hand.

Hessenthaler, speaking to BBC Radio Kent following yesterday’s game, says his players are not showing signs of complacency, although he admitted they came across a very good side.

“All the plaudits have got to go to Carshalton because, I’ve got to be honest, they’re the best team that’s come to Dover since I’ve been at the club and I was very impressed with them,” he said.

Speaking about Hughes’ nicely-timed leveller, Hessenthaler admitted, “We’ve got out of jail really in the end. We’ve got good characters, we do keep going.

“I just felt today we were off the game, as I say, they were the better side, but we will keep going until the end.

“This might be the kick up the backside the boys might need going into the last twelve games. We’ve just got to keep going and as I’ve said all along, there’s a lot of football to be played yet and our next game is Harlow and that’s our next challenge.

“But the players have approached the games the right way, kept their feet on the ground, there’s no complacency, there’s no complacency as far as I’m concerned today and I think the football is a lot to do with the mind as well.

“But my players will be focused on the next game and we know we’ve got to go to Harlow now, put a performance on and get a result.

“It’s hard to be critical of the players, 14 wins at home and a draw, that’s some record and 14 unbeaten games, 12 wins and 2 draws in our last 14 games.

“It’s very hard to be critical of the players, they know as a group today, in the dressing room today, we could do better.”

Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Kent:  www.bbc.co.uk/kent

Visit Dover Athletic’s websites: www.doverathletic.com & www.dafctv.co.uk