Hessenthaler and Southall run a sports and social club in Gillingham

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler is confident his Blue Square South side can win a third successive promotion.

The former Gillingham boss, 43, has rejuvenated the club's fortunes in his two years at the Crabble.

"You're a victim of your own success, and with two promotions the fans now expect, and I expect us to do well," Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent.

"We've assembled a very good squad and we really believe we will be fighting for promotion."

"But we have to be careful we don't put too much pressure on the players, he added.

I won't be doing him any favours and he knows that Andy Hessenthaler on Nicky Southall

"We also have to be realistic - it is a jump. Conference football is obviously a better standard of football and it's not going to be easy.

"We've got quite a young group and that's why we bought the likes of Nicky Southall into the club.

"Hopefully with his experience he can settle some of my young players down when games get a little bit tough. "

Southall, 37, was released by Gillingham at the end of last season, and has dropped down two divisions to play for the Whites.

As well as their Gills history, Hessenthaler and Southall are also business partners away from the game, but the manager insists his new signing will not get any preferential treatment.

"I won't be doing him any favours and he knows that," he said.

"He knows he's got to perform. At the end of the day if players aren't performing they won't be in the side."

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