Dover Athletic were left frustrated as a last-gasp equaliser from Lewes denied them a deserved three points at Crabble. The Whites had led from the 26th minute thanks to Luke Baptiste’s confident penalty, but despite controlling large parts of the game and creating numerous chances, they were punished for their profligacy in front of goal when Jack Meeres struck deep into stoppage time.

Dover started brightly, immediately forcing a corner in the fourth minute and looking to assert themselves early. However, it was Lewes who had the first real sight of goal, firing into the side netting a minute later. The game then settled into a cagey affair with little to separate the sides, but Dover were handed a golden opportunity midway through the first half when they won a penalty. A foul in the box saw Lewes’ keeper Toby Bull booked for a foul on Soares-Junior before Baptiste stepped up to convert from the spot for the second consecutive match, sending the Crabble faithful into celebration.

The hosts continued to threaten, with Luca Cocoracchio coming close to doubling the lead in the 31st minute, heading just over from an Alfie Matthews corner. Tolu Ladapo was then booked for the visitors as Dover held their advantage going into the break, having restricted Lewes to very little in terms of clear-cut chances.

The second half saw Dover start strongly once more, and they were inches away from doubling their lead in the 50th minute when Ruben Soares-Junior rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike from a tight angle. The momentum was firmly with the home side, and they came close again when Soares-Junior turned provider, setting up George Nikaj for what looked like a certain goal, only for the forward to fire wide. The Whites continued to push forward, with Baptiste and Francis Mampolo both seeing efforts narrowly miss the target, the latter striking the post from another tight angle in the 70th minute.

Despite Dover’s dominance, Lewes gradually grew into the contest as the game entered its final stages. They forced a dangerous corner in the 74th minute and began to apply late pressure. Dover still had chances to put the game to bed, with Nikaj breaking through on goal in the 76th minute, but he was denied by an excellent save from Bull. The home side looked to have weathered the storm and managed the game well heading into stoppage time, but disaster struck in the 92nd minute. A Lewes corner caused havoc in the Dover box, and Meeres reacted quickest to snatch a heartbreaking equaliser for the visitors.

It was a gut-wrenching conclusion for Dover, who had done enough to secure all three points but ultimately paid the price for not taking their chances. Despite a strong performance, the Whites were left to rue their missed opportunities, with two valuable points slipping through their fingers at the death.

Dover Athletic: 27. Jordan Gillmore, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Fuad Sesay, 26. Jacob Mensah, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 7. Luke Baptiste, 8. Alfie Matthews, 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior, 16. Harrison Pont, 24. Francis Mampolo SUBS: 25. Charlie Naylor, , 4. Jeremiah Gyebi, 9. Eniye Amgbaduba, 15. Tamas Amgbaduba, 23. George Wilkinson.

Lewes: 1. Toby Bull, 14. Shae Hutchinson, 3. Peter Ojemen, 4. Matt Warren, 5. Jack Meeres, 6. Marcus Sablier, 7. Danny Bassett (C), 8. Hamilton Antonio, 11. Tolu Ladapo, 15. Alfie Allen, 19. Josh Spinks SUBS: 18. Ethan Kaiser, 2. Izzy Jones, 12. Christo Nano, 10. Lewis Finney, 17. Calvin Ekpiteta.

Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 722
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Michael Butcher
Venue: Crabble Athletic Ground