A DELICIOUS double from the superb Craig Reid gave County a vital victory at Dover; one their supporters will hope was a defining moment of the season come May.

The Exiles and Dover, first and second in the Blue Square South and with the hosts looking for a win to go back to the top of the league, produced an excellent contest where in truth the two sides were only separated by Reid’s genius.

County have marched to five points clear at the summit of the Conference South and could extend that gap to eight if they win their tricky game in hand against Thurrock.

That’s a cushion to dream about in November, and just like when a depleted side won 1-0 at Woking, Dean Holdsworth’s squad showed on Saturday that they relish the very biggest games.

The Exiles defended wonderfully as a unit, and while they weren’t as incisive in attack as we’ve seen them this season that really doesn’t represent a problem if one man takes up the mantle for them all, just as Reid did on Saturday with a display that terrorised Dover.

Reid’s brilliance was complemented by an immense defensive showing from central defenders Alton Thelwell and particularly skipper Gary Warren, as while Dover will point out they created more efforts on goal, they were largely restricted to shots from distance, Glyn Thompson no more or less busy than home ’keeper Dave Wilkinson.

The Exiles again shaped up in the new and seemingly preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Jamie Collins switched to left back for tactical reasons, while the ill Sam Foley made room for Charlie Henry, and Scott Rogers and Kerry Morgan were given starts.

Holdsworth talked excitedly before the match about why he’d made the particular changes, and tactically he once again gets a pat on the back for out-thinking rival boss Andy Hessenthaler, County comfortable in possession for long periods as Dover huffed and puffed in the final third, never looking particularly threatening.

The hosts are clearly a good side (the best County have faced so far), but there appears to be something just a bit special about the Exiles this term.

They looked composed and determined, even as the hosts made the better start, Shaun Welford’s strong run leaving Warren on the floor appealing for a free kick in the 11th minute, but former Arsenal youth Adam Birchall screwed his shot right across the face of goal.

Birchall was far and away Dover’s main threat, and on 15 minutes he cut in and shot from 20 yards, but Glyn Thompson was alert to the danger and saved comfortably.

However, County were beginning to stir, Thelwell missing a free header from a Henry corner on 23 minutes as they began to exert pressure themselves, Morgan (who has tremendous strength considering he’s incredibly small) wriggling away from his marker after Rose’s pass, denied comfortably by a Wilkinson save.

The affair was beginning to warm up, with the 1,600 supporters in fine voice when County took the lead just past the half- hour.

Scott Rogers began the move before being clattered by Tom Davies midway inside the Dover half.

However, referee Ian Crouch was excellent throughout and he played a brilliant advantage to keep County moving forward.

They didn’t waste the chance, Rose slotting through to Reid, who jinked inside and out from his marker before sublimely dinking the ball over Wilkinson from the most acute of angles. For my money, at least, it was County’s finest goal of the season so far.

The hosts continued to press for the remainder of the first period and when the game re-started, but it was hard to see them finding a way back into the game, most of their efforts restricted to being long range or off target.

County had only conceded seven goals in 15 games before facing Dover and it showed, despite Birchall’s efforts, the Exiles were comfortably keeping the coastal side at bay.

However, just before the hour, the impressive right full back Matt Fish (that name belongs in Dover) and striker Frannie Collin combined, firing in a terrific cross that Shaun Welford stabbed home at the near post to give the hosts parity.

From this point there was only one winner, Dover suddenly first to every ball and piling on the pressure, the Exiles on the ropes with a point suddenly seeming like a wonderful return.

However, Reid didn’t read that script.

With his mate Foley introduced in the latter stages, he began to come back into the game as a positive outlet and with 20 minutes left, Foley’s blocked shot gave Reid the moment that his endeavour and movement had earned.

As the ball cannoned back out to the edge of the penalty area, Reid met the ball first time with his left foot, an absolutely stunning volley beating Wilkinson for sheer velocity as the ball swung away from the stopper and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net, right in front of the Exiles fans.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game and did so at Dover, the hosts broken to be behind again and only able to threaten from there on in with pressure that led to free kicks and corners, but nothing to trouble Thompson.

The Exiles held on and will no doubt reflect on this encounter for a long time to come, County’s biggest win yet in a season that continues to exceed all expectations.

Dover: Wilkinson, Fish, Wynter, Hill, Leberl, Southall, J Rogers (Hughes 72, Browning 81), Davis, Welford, Collin, Birchall.

Subs not used: Walder, Gore, Hook.

Booked: Davies (foul, 34).

County: Thompson, Bignot, Collins, Turk, Warren, Thelwell, Rose, Rogers, Reid, Morgan (Holgate 80, Cochlin 90+3*), Henry (Foley 52). * Holgate went off for tactical reasons at a corner and wasn’t injured.

Subs not used: Giles, Blackburn.

Booked: Henry 52 (dissent).

Referee: Ian Crouch.

Attendance: 1,680.

Argus star man: Craig Reid.