Boss Jake Leberl reckons their FA Cup run shows what a good club Dover is to play for.

Dover won 3-2 against fellow National League South side Dorking Wanderers at Crabble on Saturday to book their place in Monday evening’s first-round draw.

There’s been some notable additions to the Dover squad during the summer. Former Gillingham midfielder Euan Williams adds class alongside eight-goal Jack Bates to the heart of the team.

Leberl admitted that the current crop of players were recruited by those who were already at Crabble.

“A lot of our recruitment is done by the boys,” explained the Dover manager. “Boys know boys and they know we look after boys here.

“It's a good club to be. I like to think that boys are happy to play here and when you're happy, you give your best performances.

“To get someone like Ewan Williams out of Gillingham, the extra quality he's got. Obviously, Jack Bates has come along, Sak Hassan, these boys are proper footballers.

“Mixed in with some really hard-working boys that do their jobs with the extra little bit of quality that makes a difference, like it did on Saturday.

“We're in a good place to compete against a club like Dorking in the two games. I think it just goes to show that they're a full-time club with probably double the budget.

“I don't think there's a lot in the teams. Different styles, of course, but I think we've proven that we can go toe-to-toe with a club like Dorking and it proves how well we're doing.”

A week after the two teams drew 1-1 at Crabble in the league, Dover’s game plan worked perfectly in the FA Cup tie.

That was no more evident than for their second goal, when they pressed the Dorking defence and forced a mistake to win a penalty.

“You give Mike Sandmann (assistant manager) huge credit,” said Leberl. “He's an unbelievable coach.

“We thought we were a little bit open last week. The game plan was to play like that.

“We pushed Bates on to go after them. Although it worked, they had far too much possession and there was too much space in the middle of the pitch.

“I thought we did a lot better this week with that. I don't think they had as much space, but they're a good team. They've got good players and they cause us problems, but we defended for our lives.

“The amount of blocks, the boys putting their bodies on the line is what it's all about and that's what you need to get through in a cup tie.”

Dover are in Monday evening’s draw, where they could be paired against the likes of former Premier League champions and 2021 FA Cup winners Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, or Gillingham.

But Leberl also knows drawing a small club at this stage could help them edge another step closer to the third round.

“I think either or, really,” he responded. “A really big one or one of the smallest ones still in.”

Dover return to action on Tuesday night with a trip to Folkestone Invicta in the Kent Senior Cup.

But Leberl warned it will be a much-changed side on display at Cheriton Road.

“It’s a big game for the locals away at Folkestone,” admitted Leberl. “I’ll put it out there now that lots of these boys won't be playing in it. There's a few that are carrying knocks.

“We'll give the boys that haven't had a lot of game time some minutes. There's a few boys that have been training with us. They will get an opportunity in an 11-a-side game to see what they can do.

“And we'll promote a few of the academy boys that have been doing well, give them an opportunity as well.”