There was a new man at the helm in Ian Hutchinson but it was the same old story for the rock-bottom Terras in terms of results.

The home side looked destined for another Wessex Stadium hiding when goals from Jon Wallis and Shaun Welford put second-placed Dover 2-0 up inside half an hour.

But to their credit, the Terras kept the visitors at bay for the remainder of the match and even managed to win the second half battle courtesy of substitute Jake Reid’s late strike.

Newly installed caretaker-boss Hutchinson made five changes for his first game in charge.

In came new signing Josh Llewellyn, David Obaze, Jordan Rose, Scott Dixon and Carl Foster, for his first start.

Those making way were former manager Matty Hale, Reid, the unavailable Matt Bound, unwell skipper Kyle Critchell and Josh Klein-Davies, who joined Weston-super-Mare as part of a swap deal for Llewellyn.

Given the two sides’ relative league positions, it was no surprise to see Athletic create the first opening. However, it was somewhat of a shock to see arguably the smallest player on the pitch –Wallis – meet Nicky Southall’s right-sided cross and glance a header wide.

The Terras clearly hadn’t learnt their lesson and just a minute later Dover’s diminutive midfielder opened the scoring.

A long throw was flicked on at the near post by Ollie Schulz and Wallis was there again to nod home.

Weymouth’s first effort at goal, courtesy of Rose, was more at risk of causing an accident on the Wessex roundabout than troubling Lee Hook in the visitors’ goal.

However, the hosts were presented with a glorious opportunity to level proceedings when Ryan Harrison’s long free-kick was missed by Schulz. Llewellyn though, was unable to make himself an instant hero as he could only lift the ball over the top from eight yards.

And the hosts were made to pay for that miss as Dover extended their lead four minutes after.

Southall’s corner was headed goalwards by Jake Leberl but brilliantly saved by Harrison. However, the rebound fell kindly for Welford and he fired in Dover’s second.

It could have been 3-0 just past the hour but Harrison saved well at the feet of Adam Birchall.

Harrison was again called into action seven minutes before the break, this time getting down low to keep out Welford’s effort following a neat one-two between him and strike partner Birchall.

Excellent build-up play from the visitors then saw Southall get on the end of Welford’s low cross, but the Dover skipper, under pressure, was unable to keep his effort under control.

Athletic should have put the game beyond all doubt on the stroke of half-time but Welford was denied by the legs of Harrison.

The Terras’ keeper remained under siege in the second period and was forced to tip over Welford’s header in the 52nd minute.

Birchall fired straight at Harrison on the hour and then sent another effort just wide of goal moments after.

The Terras enjoyed a rare foray forward in the 66th minute but Dean Smith’s volley was poor and sailed well wide of the target.

Dover were back on the offensive and Tom Davis had acres of space to unleash a fizzing drive from 30 yards that clipped the top of the crossbar.

As time petered away, Welford headed wide from Wallis’ delivery with eight minutes to go.

The home crowd though, were finally given something to shout about – albeit in the 88th minute.

Llewellyn raced on to a long ball before laying off for the advancing Reid to finish beautifully from the edge of the Dover box – Weymouth’s first goal since Reid notched in the 1-1 draw with Newport County on September 16.

However, it was too little too late and Dover, who dominated proceedings, held on for a deserved win.