A clean sheet came at the perfect time for Dover manager Jake Leberl on Saturday.

Whites held unbeaten National League South frontrunners Hornchurch to a goalless draw, which was only their third shut-out in 11 fixtures this season.

Leberl was mulling over plans to tinker with Dover's defence before they took on Hornchurch.

He said: "I'd said to the boys we need to do better.

"It had got to the point where, if things hadn't gone our way on Saturday, we might have changed things around - maybe a change in formation or a change in how we do things - not necessarily personnel.

"I've come back to play attacking football. We have always done that and I don't want to take that attacking intent away.

"But we cannot keep outscoring teams. I think the balance in defence, and of the squad, is very good.

"A bit of naivety - but a real lack of communication - that's been the biggest downfall with the goals we've conceded.

"I realise there's not a lot of experience there but we need to be more vocal.

"It was getting to the stage where I was going to look at it so it was a really good time to keep a clean sheet."

With midfielders Ryan Hanson and Mo Jallow sidelined, Leberl played Harry Beadle in midfield and recalled centre-back Jacob Mensah at Hornchurch.

"I'm really pleased in all aspects," said Leberl, who had teenage defender Matty Holness as an unused substitute.

"We're now 10 games in, we have got a really good measure of where we are in the league, and it's really positive.

"It was never a 0-0 (game). I felt we edged it. If we didn't edge it, it could have just as easily been a 3-3 draw!

"We missed one in particular, a chance that we have got to score, and four or five half-chances. But they hit the stanchion of post and crossbar and we put our bodies on the line.

"With Hanson and Jallow out, we're a little bit short in midfield. I prefer a settled side but I just felt it was right to put Beadle in because they're a strong, big, physical side.

"He did well."

Summer recruit Jallow came through less than 30 minutes on his return from a pre-season knock in last month's 3-3 draw with Hampton before his latest injury blow.

Leberl revealed: "He has done his ligaments in his knee.

"He's had a scan but we're waiting on the results. He won't be back anytime soon.

"I'm gutted for him. He had worked hard to get back from the ankle injury he had got in the Arsenal game.

"He's a great lad and has great attributes."

That leaves Whites with Alfie Matthews, George Wilkinson, Beadle and Luca Cocoracchio as their senior midfield options.

But Luke Baptiste, part of Dover's promotion-winning three-pronged attack last term alongside George Nikaj and Ruben Soares-Junior, also has experience in midfield.

Leberl noted: "Baps had a brilliant season last year.

"I think, in his own head, he's still a little bit unsure on his best position. He did well from the left last year but has the attributes to do well in midfield.

"That's why I'm wary of bringing lads in when we have got people like Baps and Wilko (George Wilkinson) already, who are more than capable."

Dover will visit Tonbridge this weekend for what will be new Angels manager Alan Dunne's first home league match after he replaced Craig Nelson at the Longmead helm.

"I know Alan Dunne and where he has come from," noted Leberl on Bromley manager Andy Woodman's ex-No.2. "We know what Bromley were about and I imagine they'll be a similar blueprint to that.

"They will be a totally different team to what we prepared for. But we know a lot of their players.

"I think it'll be a real ding-dong Kent derby and hopefully we can cut out the soft goals, like we did on Saturday, and take our chances."

Leberl has also welcomed the FA's review into perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches following the death of Billy Vigar.

Former Arsenal forward Vigar, 21, died from a "significant brain injury" after colliding with the perimeter wall in Chichester's Isthmian Premier game at Wingate & Finchley.

Leberl said: "A few of the boys knew of him. It's absolutely devastating.

"With some of the grounds we go to, it's always been a thought in my mind.