WHITES suffered Emirates FA Cup heartbreak as Cambridge eventually ran out 4-2 winners in a pulsating match at Crabble.

Ricky Miller’s calm finished was all that separated the two sides until the final moments of normal time when Mark Roberts bundled in from close range. A superb volley from Aswad Thomas in extra time had Whites back in front, but Leon Legge’s strike restored parity and Medy Elito won it for Cambridge with barely a minute left to play.

Substitute Ben Williams sealed the win with a clever run and finish as it was United who set up a home tie with 1987 FA Cup winners Coventry City.

For Whites, Chris Kinnear replaced the cup-tied Sammy Moore in midfield and Richard Orlu came in to cover the suspended Jack Parkinson at the back. Cambridge made one change as Max Clark and Medy Elito traded places.

Luke Berry almost fired Cambridge into the lead early on, curling a fierce free-kick narrowly over following a foul on Brad Halliday.

It was a cagey start from both sides and the home team fashioned their first real chance on the quarter hour mark, Miller striking a first-time cross from Ricky Modeste just wide. Then within seconds, Uche Ikpeazu ran clear with just Mitch Walker to beat, but Dover’s stopper was sharp off his line to block his effort.

Ikpeazu then had another go at scoring minutes later and though his header towards goal was accurate it lacked the power to beat Walker.

Cambridge were clearly in no mood to suffer an upset and Berry almost broke the deadlock, hitting the post from close range following a pinpoint cross from Pietro Mingoia.

Walker was called into action again with the interval on the horizon, saving from Elito who had shot first time after running onto Mingoia’s accurate cross.

Miller had to wait until just before half time for his first real chance, running onto Aswad Thomas’ clever through ball, but Will Norris in the Cambridge goal was equal to his effort. Ross Lafayette was even closer minutes later after being found alone in the box, but his header from a Ricky Modeste inswinging cross went just wide.

The second half started similar to the first as it took either team ten minutes to register a shot on target, with Mingoia firing a low shot at straight at Walker. Richard Orlu was called into action from a corner, heading Berry’s goal-bound header clear of danger.

Miller hooked a volleyed effort down the throat of Norris as he tried to bag his second goal against Cambridge.

But the National League’s top scorer was not to be denied for long as he bagged his 22nd of the season on 70 minutes, running onto to Chris Kinnear’s pass and slotting into the bottom corner.

There was almost an instant reply from Cambridge as Elito crashed a curling effort off the underside of the bar.

Cambridge then thought they had equalised as Mark Roberts struck from Ikpeazu’s header, but the linesman ruled it out for offside.

Dover must have thought the woodwork was their saviour as Greg Taylor headed against the bar, but their leveller finally came right at the death. Berry’s free-kick was saved by Walker, but Roberts scuffed the rebound home to the delight of the visiting fans.

A moment of brilliance in extra time from Aswad Thomas swung the game back in the favour of the home side, as he lashed home a volley from the edge of the box.

But Cambridge were back in the game once more as Roberts crossed from the right for Leon Legge to stride forward and bullet a shot past Walker.

Elito snatched the win for Cambridge right at the death as he slotted home from an angle after some smart Cambridge play down the right.

A tired Dover pushed for an equaliser and Cambridge took full advantage. Sub Ben Williamson danced through to fire past Walker and set up a meeting with the sky blues in the second round.

Athletic have little time to dwell on tonight’s defeat as they face a league match at home to Guiseley on Saturday, kicking off at 3 pm.