Kent rivals Dover and Bromley must do it all again on Tuesday night as 90 minutes of action failed to produce a winner or much in terms of excitement.
With both teams in the playoff places in the league and Bromley having already won a tight game at the Crabble 2-1, earlier in the season, this was never going to be a game with free-flowing football. So it proved as both teams effectively cancelled each other out and produced a turgid cup tie that was difficult on the eye for the neutral.
In the hours leading up to the match Bromley announced the shock news that they had brought in former Premiership centre back Roger Johnson on a short term deal.
Johnson was drafted straight into the side replacing his namesake Dan Johnson. The experienced centre half had an excellent debut as Bromley stood up to the robust Dover style.
The few chances that were created in the first half all came the way of the home side as Bromley were content to keep things tight at the back.
As early as the third minute of the match, Ryan Bird’s lob nearly caught out David Gregory as the Dover top scorer latched on to a loose headed clearance by the Bromley custodian. However Gregory’s blushes were spared as the ball bounced just over the crossbar.
That in truth was Dover’s best opportunity of the match but their dominance of possession in the first half led to a further few half chances. Midway through the first half Jack Holland had to be at his best to deny Kadell Daniel a goal with a last ditch challenge inside the 6 yard box. Minutes later Mitchell Pinnock cut in from the left wing but his shot from 22 yards fizzed over the crossbar.
The second half witnessed even more insipid action only interspersed by the whistle happy actions of the referee.
Bromley’s first genuine opportunity of the match arrived after 67 minutes, a quick throw by Jordan Higgs released Alan Dunne whose first time cross was volleyed inches wide by the onrushing Louis Dennis. In truth it was a difficult opportunity to convert but Dennis would no doubt have been disappointed not to have hit the target.
Jack Holland then headed a Frankie Raymond corner over the crossbar but that was to be as good as it got for Bromley and the match as a whole.
Deep into injury time Josh Passley’s cross into the Bromley penalty area caused a scramble but Manny Parry failed to turn the ball home following some frantic pinball action.
Both teams will now go into Monday evening’s hat for the FA Cup 1st round draw with the incentive laid clear for both sides ahead of Tuesday night’s showdown.
Dover Athletic: Walker, Passley, Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Brundle ©, Pinnock, Bird, Nortey (Richards 79), Daniel
Subs not used: Allen, Fazakerley, Adebowale, Okosieme, Lewington, Deen-Conteh
Bromley: Gregory, Dunne (Wynter 88), R.Johnson (D.Johnson 90), Holland ©, Sterling, Raymond, Higgs, Rees, Dennis, Williams, Mekki (Wanadio 62)
Subs not used: Allen, Enver, Tullen, Anderson
Referee: Mr Alan Young
Attendance: 923 (147 Bromley)