Report

MANNY Parry scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser to grab a point for Athletic in an exciting encounter at the Knight’s Community Stadium on Tuesday night.

The defender reacted quickest in the box to fire home after Connor Essam had headed sub Kane Richards’ deep cross back into the goalmouth.

Chris Kinnear’s men had taken a first-half lead through Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s smart turn and shot, but two stunning strikes from Tommy Wright and Keiron Cadogan after the break put the hosts in front until Parry struck.

The visitors started brightly with Ryan Bird heading Josh Passley’s pin-point cross wide and Paul Lewis firing past the post via a deflection.

Home keeper Jamie Butler was out quickly to block Jamie Allen after the forward found himself in space, with Bird’s follow-up cleared off the line.

The stopper then acrobatically tipped away Femi Ilesanmi’s header as Whites continued to press.

And that pressure paid off as Gallifuoco struck on 36 minutes.

The Australian controlled Mitch Pinnock’s free-kick, before swivelling and firing past a helpless Butler to grab his third of the season.

Mitch Walker had to tip over United’s first shot on target – a set-piece from Simon Walton just before half-time.

Following the restart, Gallifuoco drove forward and tested Butler with a low drive and Sutton manager Paul Doswell introduced striker Wright from the bench on 68 minutes.

And the substitute made an immediate impact, arrowing a volley into the top corner from the edge of the box two minutes after entering the action.

Ross Lafayette tested Walker moments later with a stinging drive, but the host’s turnaround was complete on 80 minutes.

Cadogan’s 20-yard volley flew through a crowded area and flashed past Walker before the Dover stopper could react.

But Parry had the final say as Whites dropped one place in the table, a point behind new leaders Macclesfield Town.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made one change to the side that beat Solihull Moors on Saturday.  Allen started in place of Kadell Daniel, who started as a substitute.

Athletic’s next league match sees them travel to Torquay United on Saturday 7th October. Kick off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

SUTTON UNITED REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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