Dover Athletic produced an impressive second-half turnaround to beat local rivals Folkestone Invicta 4-2 at the Megger Community Stadium and secure their place in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Jack Bates scored twice for the Whites, while Luke Baptiste and Decarrey Sheriff were also on target as Jake Leberl’s side came from behind on two occasions before taking control of the tie after the interval. Dover made two changes from the side that had beaten Farnborough 1-0 the previous weekend, with Ruben Soares-Junior returning to the starting XI in place of Corie Andrews and Roman Charles-Cook coming in for John Oyenuga.

The visitors created the first opening of the afternoon when Liam Smith was unable to make the required contact at the near post from Alejandro Machado’s ninth-minute corner, but Folkestone did not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough. Five minutes later, Smith’s ball forward released Aaron Cosgrave into space and the forward kept his composure to finish low beyond Mitch Walker and give Invicta the lead.

Dover responded quickly and were level soon afterwards as Bates picked up possession before letting fly with his left foot, with the effort finding its way beyond Ted Collins. The equaliser gave the Whites some momentum and Soares-Junior had an opportunity to put the hosts ahead shortly afterwards, but his effort was dragged wide of the right-hand post.

Folkestone continued to carry a threat at the other end and Walker produced an excellent save to deny Joe Pigott before Cosgrave found the net for a second time, only for the flag to be raised for offside. The visitors did regain their advantage on the half-hour mark, however, when Machado tried his luck from around 20 yards and his strike found a way beneath Walker to make it 2-1.

Invicta almost extended their lead before the break when Kevin Lokko met Harvey Kedwell’s corner at the far post, but the Folkestone captain was unable to direct his effort on target and Dover went into half-time just one goal behind.

The Whites emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and needed only three minutes to draw level. Baptiste found himself in a promising position inside the area and, after the ball broke kindly, Bates was there to drive his effort through a crowded penalty area and into the net for his second goal of the afternoon.

Dover’s turnaround was completed just five minutes later. Baptiste collected possession around the edge of the box before curling a superb finish into the top corner, putting the Whites ahead for the first time and continuing a strong start to the second half.

Folkestone looked for a response and Walker was called upon to deal with another powerful effort from Cosgrave, while Pigott was later unable to make the most of a good opportunity inside the Dover penalty area. The visitors continued to search for a way back into the game, but Dover remained composed and protected their advantage well.

The Whites were then handed the chance to put the tie beyond doubt inside the final 10 minutes when referee Joseph Dann-Pye pointed to the penalty spot following an incident involving substitute Sonny Fish and Pigott as Dover prepared to take a corner. Sheriff stepped up and converted from 12 yards, his effort going in via the inside of the post to give Leberl’s side a two-goal cushion.

Dover saw out the remaining minutes to complete a 4-2 victory in an entertaining Kent derby, making it three consecutive wins following league victories away at Dagenham & Redbridge and Farnborough. The result also booked the Whites’ place in Monday’s Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round draw.

Attention now returns to National League South action, with AFC Totton visiting the Megger Community Stadium next Saturday.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Charles-Cook, Jones, Bakrin, Ezenwanne (Oyenuga 87), Wilson-Braithwaite, Williams (Hassan 72), Bates (Beadle 89), Baptiste, Soares-Junior (Fish 77), Sheriff.

Subs not used: Wilkinson, Bartlett, Jallow.

Folkestone Invicta: Collins, Mason, Smith, Fielding, Lokko, Machado (Lovatt 67), Thomas, Cosgrave, Young (West 77), H. Kedwell, Pigott.

Subs not used: Ajuchi, Francis, P. Kedwell, Woodyard.

Referee: Joseph Dann-Pye

Attendance: 2,342