BARROW AFC are still searching for their first away win of the season after Dover Athletic cruised to a 3-1 victory at Crabble, writes RiCHARD HARVEY.

The high-flying hosts, who moved fourth with the win, led 3-0 before substitute Ross Hannah scored a consolation from the penalty spot in the final minute.

It was Dover’s third consecutive league win while Paul Cox’s side have now lost at Tranmere and Dover, while drawing at Torquay.

Moses Emmanuel broke the deadlock just before the half hour mark, although Aswad Thomas may have had a say in Emmanuel’s opener, before in-form Ross Lafayette doubled Dover’s advantage early in the second half.

Sam Magri added a third for Dover before Hannah reduced the deficit with his second goal in a week following his strike in the 3-2 win against former club Chester on Tuesday.

Dover, fresh from Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Eastleigh, started with plenty of intent, but it was Barrow who went close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute.

Jordan Williams had Dover goalkeeper Steve Arnold scrambling across his goal as his 20-yard effort whistled just past the post.

Williams was in the action not long after, firing well over from Lindon Meikle’s smart lay-off.

Arnold then produced a stunning save to keep out Meikle’s close-range header but the AFC man had been flagged offside.

Williams was the first man booked after bringing down midfielder Chris Kinnear Jnr, the son of the Dover manager.

Confusion then reigned after Dover opened the scoring.

Thomas’ scuffed shot from just inside the box was rolling towards Joel Dixon’s goal before Emmanuel appeared to apply the final touch from virtually on the line.

Thomas reeled away in celebration, thinking he’d scored and his team-mates rushed to join him before the goal was credited to Emmanuel over the public address system.

Emmanuel then appeared to shake his head towards Thomas, indicating he had not scored, what was his second goal of the season.

The Bluebirds started the second half strongly and it was that man Williams who had the first effort on goal after just two minutes.

His thunderous volley crashed into the head of Dover winger Ricky Modeste, sending him crashing to the turf and needing treatment.

Three minutes later, AFC almost levelled when Liam Hughes turned Meikle’s cross just wide with Arnold rooted to his spot.

That miss proved costly with Lafayette doubling Dover’s lead five minutes later.

The striker raced on to Jack Parkinson’s long ball from the back before slipping it over Dixon.

It was Lafayette’s third consecutive goal in the three games he’s played since arriving from Eastleigh.

AFC boss Paul Cox – who handed new Shrewsbury Town loanee Dom Smith his debut in the game – made a couple of changes with returning Paul Turnbull being replaced by Hannah and Meikle making way for Andy Haworth. Hannah looked lively but not even his enthusiasm could prevent Dover adding a third seven minutes from time through right-back Magri.

The former Portsmouth man headed home a pin-point cross from the impressive Thomas to register his first goal for Whites, in what is his second season with the club.

There was still time for Hannah to give 52 travelling fans who had made the long trip south something to cheer about when he reduced the deficit from the penalty spot.

Hannah was bundled over by Dover keeper Arnold following a defensive mix-up with Richard Orlu and the striker got up to send him the wrong way and leave the winning margin the same as the corresponding fixture last season.