BASINGSTOKE Town moved into the Conference South play-off places with their third win in a row.

Andrew Jenkinson and Matt Partridge scored in either half as Jason Bristow’s men made it nine points out of nine since their 4-1 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville.

However, the game ended on a slightly sour note, Partridge and Dover’s Barry Cogan both being sent off following a melee in the closing stages.

Town manager Jason Bristow named an unchanged starting 11 but captain Wes Daly lost the toss, meaning the hosts had to play into a strong wind during the first half.

Dover looked to make the most of their advantage early on and had a good chance as the ball dropped for Liam Bellamy, but he shot wide from 10 yards.

At the other end, Manny Williams forced a double save from Dover goalkeeper Mitch Walker after turning well in the area, but the visitors were on top and Sean Raggett should have given them the lead from a corner, heading over from close range.

It was slightly against the run of play that Town took the lead on 21 minutes. Good work from Williams and Shaun McAuley’s burst into the area resulted in the ball dropping for Jenkinson, who fired an accurate low shot into the far corner.

Neither side was able to get on top for the remainder of the first half, but both sides had chances just before the break. Bellamy sliced a decent opening well wide, while McAuley really should have doubled the lead, shooting wide of an unguarded net after Walker had flapped at a cross.

Town had the benefit of the wind after the break but opportunities were few and far between in the early stages of the half.

The hosts were the first to create chances, McAuley firing over and a good block from Raggett denying substitute Simon Dunn, while the closest Dover came was when Elliott Charles headed wide at the far post.

Town doubled their lead with nine minutes to go. A great free-kick from Adam Green found Partridge and he prodded the ball into the far corner from around 10 yards.

However, the goalscorer was sent off moments later, seeing red after referee John Busby decided he had stamped on a Dover player. The incident sparked a melee, with visiting midfielder Cogan also seeing red after he confronted Partridge.

Dover almost levelled from the resulting free-kick, Tom Murphy blasting over from eight yards after Raggett had flicked the ball on, but that was to be the visitors’ final chance as Town secured a third consecutive clean sheet.

They could have extended their winning margin late on, Robbie Matthews seeing his flick at goal blocked after Williams had robbed a defender, rounded the goalkeeper and squared the ball for him.

Town manager Bristow said: "It was a very deserved three points, which was very pleasing, and another clean sheet.

"We have won three on the bounce now and have put ourselves in a good position."

Basingstoke Town: Wells, Smart, Green, Partridge, Gasson, Ray, Daly, McAuley, Matthews, Williams, Jenkinson (sub Dunn 60min). Subs (not used): Barrett, Ibe, Campbell, Debattista,.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Stone, Wynter, Kinnear, Raggett, Forbes, Bellamy (sub Ademola 68min), Rogers (sub Bakare 79min), Elder (sub Charles 57min), Cogan, Murphy. Subs (not used): Kamara, Carew.

Attendance: 352