Report

Dover caused an FA cup upset on Sunday afternoon by beating League One Southend United at Crabble in front of the BT Sport cameras.

Substitute Ruel Sotiriou, making his debut after signing on loan from Leyton Orient earlier this month, fired home the winner with seven minutes of the match remaining.

The first round victory sees Andy Hessenthaler’s men qualify for the second round proper for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.

Jack Munns nearly put the hosts ahead early on when running onto Bobby-Joe Taylor’s pass across the penalty area, only for Nathan Ralph to make a crucial interception before Dover’s midfielder could connect with the ball.

Visiting stopper Nathan Bishop was called into action just moments later, palming away Taylor’s cross-cum-shot.

Stephen McLaughlin volleyed over after bursting into Athletic’s penalty area and Isaac Hutchinson fired low into home stopper Yusuf Mersin’s arms from the edge of the box.

Dover were next to attack and Michael Woods headed Oscar Gobern’s cross wide of Bishop’s far post.

Jai Reason curled Inih Effiong’s lay-off high over the bar, but Whites’ creative player went closer with his next effort.

Reason seized upon a misplaced pass and after a striding forward, forced Bishop to turn his 20-yard drive around the post.

Tom Hopper cleared off the line after Jack Munns’ corner bounced off Joe Shaugnessy and towards goal, with Mersin diving onto Ethan Hamilton’s low shot at the other end.

Munns then blazed Effiong’s placed ball wide following the restart and Reason smashed Munns’ corner narrowly over just after the hour mark.

The home side continued to apply pressure and Paul Rooney nodded another Munns set piece inches over the bar.

With the game on a knife edge, substitute Nassim L’Ghoul nodded Aaron Simpson’s cross straight into Bishop’s midriff.

And the tie was decided by late replacement Sotiriou.

The Cypriot, only on the pitch for two minutes after replacing Steven Rigg, latched onto a long ball and fired across bishop and into the net.

Sub Nassim L’Ghoul stopped United from replying immediately with a brave block on Elvis Bwomono.

Reason then nearly made the game safe with minutes to spare.

The midfielder cut onto his left foot and sent a fine effort onto the corner of the post and crossbar from 20-yards.

But Athletic held on to seal their place in Monday evening’s draw, to be broadcast live on BBC2 from 7 pm.

Earlier, Boss Hessenthaler made one change to the side that started at Fylde last weekend with Taylor replacing the injured Josh Passley.

Whites are in front of the BT Sport cameras once again when they next travel to Yeovil Town in the National League on Saturday 16th November, kick off 5:20 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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