Dover made it three straight National League South wins as they saw off Salisbury at home on Saturday.

Defender Jalen Jones put Jake Leberl’s team into a half-time advantage and, while they had to work hard to maintain that lead, striker George Nikaj ensured it finished 2-0 to the home team.

Substitute Luke Baptiste could have added a stoppage-time third but failed to convert his penalty.

The hosts created the first chance inside the first two minutes when midfielder Alfie Matthews dragged Nikaj’s right-wing cutback narrowly wide of Salisbury keeper William Buse’s right-hand post.

Nine minutes later, Dover threatened on the counter-attack at Crabble.

Nikaj did well to win the ball off Matt Briggs and fed Francis Mampolo, who laid off for Decarrey Sheriff. But his effort was deflected over.

The visitors had looked comfortable in possession, albeit it was clear to see why they are yet to score this season due to a lack of a cutting edge in front of goal.

On the half-hour mark, Salisbury made their first opportunity as young winger Evander Grubb cut inside and sent a 20-yard effort over Mitch Walker’s crossbar.

But Athletic finally made one of many first-half corners count in the 32nd minute. Matthews took the set-piece short and crossed for centre-back Jones, 26, who bundled home from close range for his first club goal.

The away team appealed for offside but that merely resulted in one of their players getting cautioned by referee Daniel Barnes.

Brian Dutton’s men also were forced into a first-half switch, which saw Briggs hobble off after he was challenged by Dover defender Fuad Sesay and ex-Football League forward Matty Taylor came on for him.

Indeed, Taylor almost made an instant impact, heading over a left-wing delivery.

Salisbury made a half-time substitution that saw Dominic Revan replace Taylor Foran.

Five minutes after the restart, Whites were given another warning, with Taylor - in an offside position - failing to hit the target when he should have done better before Noah Coppin drilled wide.

Home goalkeeper Walker then saved to thwart striker Oliver Bray on 57 minutes.

On the hour mark, a visiting player did well to clear defender Jacob Mensah’s header off the line from Matthews’ corner, which had been sent to the far post.

Keeper Buse again had to remain alert to deny Nikaj and Baptiste to keep Salisbury in it.

With eight minutes to play, Whites defender Roman Charles-Cook, who had switched to left-back for the latter stages, did well to prevent substitute Josh Keeya from being able to get a shot on goal.

But the home side doubled their advantage with three minutes to play.

Walker sent a booming free-kick up-field and substitute Kenny Coker excellently flicked into the path of Nikaj, who drilled beyond Buse to find the bottom corner right-footed for his fourth goal in four games.

Still looking for their first goal of the season, Walker made a fine fingertip save to deny Salisbury and Taylor.

It could have been even better for Dover - Baptiste being fouled by away player Tom Davies for a final-minute spot-kick few Salisbury fans could have had any complaints over.

Baptiste hammered that penalty against the crossbar but it made little difference to the final result, with Dover up to second in the early league table.

Whites had made one change from their team which were 1-0 victors at Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday as ex-Billericay player Sheriff came in for the sidelined Ruben Soares-Junior (shoulder) up front.

Defender Harry Beadle also returned from suspension to take a position on the substitutes’ bench before he came on in the second period for his first competitive club appearance.

Wideman Briggs, formerly of Dorking, was among the away side’s starting line-up and 35-year-old Taylor started on Salisbury’s substitutes’ bench.

Dover will travel to Torquay on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Charles-Cook, Sesay (Lukombo 67mins), Jones, Mensah, Cocoracchio (Wilkinson 92mins), Hanson, Matthews (Beadle 74mins), Mampolo (Baptiste 61mins), Nikaj, Sheriff (Coker 61mins). Subs not used: Tennent, Gillmore.

Salisbury: Buse, Sommerton, Atkinson, Ngalo, Foran (Revan 46mins), Briggs (Taylor 42mins), Bray (Keeya 67mins), Muller, Davies, Grubb, Coppin (Higgs 76mins). Subs not used: Sharlott, Cove, Dore.

Referee: Daniel Barnes.

Attendance: 896.