Dover Athletic will replay with Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday night at The Crabble to earn the right to be in the FA Cup First Round Proper after a disappointing game where neither side seriously tested their opponents’ goal.

In a scrappy first half where little of the ball was played on the floor, neither side were unable to take the ascendency as chances on goal were at a premium. In the opening few minutes Dover’s Chris Nanetti had the honour of the first shot in anger but his volley was mishit and bobbled safely towards the hosts’ custodian Lewis Carey.

The hosts’ Simon Johnson found himself in space in and around the penalty area as The Sports advanced on goal themselves but was unable to seriously test Andrew Rafferty on two occasions with weakly struck shots from range.

Dover’s Tom Murphy began the game well on the left, linking up well at times with Tom Wynter until the latter was forced off due to a leg injury – Murphy’s influence the diminished as the half developed.

Just before the quarter hour mark the hosts’ Gavin McCallum did well on the left touchline to beat his man and getting into the box only to find his low struck goal-bound effort easily taken by Rafferty – Ensuring he held the ball as advancing players hoped to pounce on any loose offerings.

Just after the half hour mark McCallum missed the best chance of the half – Richard Orlu inexplicably allowed a high ball go over his head towards goal leaving the hosts’ No’7 in on goal inside the penalty area but he lacked composure as he stretched for the ball and could only scuff his shot straight at the relieved Rafferty.

The Sports again tested Dover’s resolve with McCallum finding James Walker in space in the left side of the box but his shot on goal was well blocked and the danger subsequently cleared by Orlu.

In clearing a hosts attack, Nanetti swiftly counter attacked – The speedy winger getting clear of his man on the left but his teasing cross was unable to find any of his advancing team-mates and sadly for the visitors a clear-cut chance failed to materialise.

In first half injury time the hosts’ Walker was unable to get a shot away when well placed about 8yds out on the left side of goal.

Within five minutes of the restart the hosts almost took the lead but Richard Pacquette was unable to make a good contact in front of goal from a teasing left wing cross by Sam Beale.

Dover substitute Tyrone Sterling found space on the left and despite good work on the byline his teasing cross met by Jake Reid was unable test Carey.

Connor Essam would then have no doubt been frustrated to see a marvellous cross on the right hand side go straight across the hosts’ goal as no Dover play took the chance to gamble on it.

Reid showed his strength to win the ball and move Dover towards goal. The move resulted in a ball into the box towards Reid but he was unable to direct his header on goal.

Eastbourne ‘keeper Carey was then on hand saving at the feet of Reid who cut inside from a probing ball forward by Nick Deverdics and moments later Deverdics showed a lack of composure volleying well over the bar from just outside the penalty area.

Carey then showed his awareness from a long free kick by Dover’s Rafferty when the ball bounced sharply just in front of goal – Carey having to tip it wide for a corner to prevent the most bizarre of goals.

As the game entered the final five minutes the game opened up as both sides looked to make the headlines with the hosts piling on the pressure.

Beale found Johnson outside the Dover penalty area but his weakly struck effort failed to test Rafferty.

Rafferty was soon called upon again as he claimed a searching cross by Marvin Hamilton – Taken at the second attempt before an advancing player could latch upon the loose ball.

Connor Essam then deserved great credit blocking a shot by substitute Elliott Charles – The boss’ son Chris lost the ball inside his own half. Snaffling it, Beale played it to Elliott whose one-two found him in the box but as he was about to shoot on goal Essam came sliding in from seemingly nowhere putting his body on the line to prevent it.

As the game entered injury time a useful flick-on by Elliott found Dean Sinclair in the box whose tenacity caused havoc – Releasing the ball to McCallum he found space on the left side of the penalty area only to drag his shot across goal and harmlessly wide.

Dover created the games final chance on goal but Essam could only side foot substitute Barry Cogan’s right wing cross over the bar from close range. As the ball was reintroduced into play referee Coggins drew an end to proceedings.

 

Eastbourne Borough: Carey, Hamilton, Beale, Aldred, Simpemba ©, Khinda-John, McCallum, Sinclair, Pacquette (Lok, 65), Johnson, Walker (Charles, 65).

Subs not used: Lovett, Foot, Worrall, Rogers.

Dover Athletic: Rafferty, Stone © (Taiwo, HT), Wynter (Sterling, 17), Kinnear, Orlu, Murphy, Deverdics, Reid, Nanetti (Cogan, 55), Bonner, Essam.

Subs not used: Raggett, Bellamy, Payne, Hook.

Referee: A. Coggins

Assistants: J. Richardson, K. Bailey

Fourth Official: A. Senior

Att: 911