Tyler Harvey grabbed the only goal of the game during an entertaining first half, with proceedings petering out into a non-event after the turnaround.

Victory over Maidstone in City’s last match virtually secured survival for the side, but in a season where it has been a case of expecting the unexpected for Truro, completing the double over Dover absolutely rubber-stamped Step Two safety.

After arguably City’s best home showing of the season against the Stones, manager Paul Wotton made one change from the side which picked up that impressive 3-1 triumph over the play-off chasing, FA Cup giantkillers.

Dan Sullivan, who scored City’s second goal against the Stones but was subsequently withdrawn after he found the mark, missed out with a hamstring problem. His place in midfield was taken by James Melhado.

On the bench, there was no Luther Munakandafa or Sam Sanders, with Billy Palfrey and Matt Buse, both starters against Yeovil last Thursday, coming back into the matchday squad.

Harvey, who bagged a brace against Maidstone, continued where he left off on Saturday by going close twice in the same passage of play after 10 minutes.

He shot from the edge of the box and was denied by visiting custodian Matthew Rowley before the follow-up hit the side netting.

And the next City chances in a dominant opening 20 minutes also went the way of Harvey when he had one effort blocked, another saved by Rowley and then Adam Porter couldn’t pick up the scraps.

But Dover, who will finish bottom of the pile and play in the Isthmian League next term, struck the crossbar through George Nikaj after 26 minutes.

Finally the deadlock was broken right on the half hour mark when skipper Connor Riley-Lowe drove in from the right, fed Harvey, who finished emphatically into the bottom corner.

Just three minutes later and City came within a whisker of doubling their advantage as Harvey almost bagged a goal of the season contender. He picked up the ball in space outside the box and after spotting Rowley off his line, chipped towards goal only to be denied by the crossbar.

The ball then fell to the onrushing Porter who could only head onto the bar, meaning Dover had been let off the hook not once, but twice in a matter of moments.

After the interval, the game became scrappy and the hour mark had passed before either side fired a serious shot in anger.

Neal picked up a loose ball and tried his luck from 40-yards to no avail before Harvey headed Will Dean’s free-kick straight into the arms of Rowley.

Dontal Stewart then gave City a warning that Dover were still in the game when he shot from distance, only for Hamon to push the striker’s effort round the post.

But City remained resolute at the back and finished the game strongly with Porter’s low cross finding substitute Josh Hinds, who was denied by the legs of Rowley with seven minutes to go.

Porter, who was a thorn in Dover’s side all evening, then found Riley-Lowe in the box who headed over as time ticked down.

And after three minutes of stoppage time, the shrill blast of referee Stacey Pearson’s whistle brought proceedings to an end, confirming beyond any reasonable doubt that City’s return to National League South level, despite all the adversity the club have faced, has been more than just a one-year flash in the pan.

City: Hamon, Palmer, Adelsbury, Dean, Riley-Lowe, Rooney (Palfrey, 52), Melhado, Porter, Law, Harvey (Brett, 70), Neal (Hinds, 60). Subs not used: Johnson-Fisher, Buse.

Dover: Rowley, Charles-Cook (Drakes-Thomas, 82), Mensah, Holding, Naylor (Wilkinson, 71), Oyenuga, Oliver, Baptiste, Nikaj, Akehurst, Stewart. Sub not used: Young, Neil-Gray, Garrett.

Referee: Stacey Pearson
Attendance: 73