The Whites march into the next round. 

Dover got back to winning ways on Saturday as the FA Cup provided a welcome distraction from the league. Hastings came to the Megger Community Stadium in good form and boasted a wealth of National League experience in their side but it was the home side who were the more dominant in the opening 45 minutes.

New signing Paris Lock, looked lively as he made his debut on the right wing, teasing his man before heading into the penalty area where he was brought down. The referee pointed to the spot and Iffy Allen placed his spot kick high into the roof of the net. With Hastings now chasing the game, their task became even harder when in the Sam Okoye was shown a second yellow, this time for kicking the ball away, on the half hour.

Dover cranked up the pressure and should have gone into the break with the cushion of another couple of goals with both Zidan Sutherland and Archie Hatcher coming close with chances. It was the youngster who was making his first start that impressed the most. Despite getting booked early on for a rash challenge, the academy product looked dangerous as he found little pockets of space outside the Hastings defence.

We are in the hat and that’s what we were looking for – Mitch Brundle

The second half began like the first half ended, with Dover pushing for a second goal, but it wasn’t until the manager made his changes that the game was put to bed. George Nikaj and Luke Baptiste both entered the fray in the second half and made an immediate impact. Nikaj first by glancing a lovely header from an Ojemen cross before some nifty footwork from Baptiste, sat down the Hastings keeper, and rolled the ball into the net.

It was a good rear guard display until a nervy last five minutes meant that the Whites were making hard work of the performance, with the referee awarding Hastings a penalty and then a break away goal brought the scores back to 3-2. Despite the final efforts of the travelling side, Dover held on to claim a victory that now sees them in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Naylor, Mensah, Ojemen, Allen, Lock, Dunne, Young, Hatcher, Sutherland

Subs: Wilkinson, Bello, Dembele, Nikaj, Baptiste, Charles-Cook, Stewart

Hastings United: Grainger, Okoye, Akehurst, Fregene, Stone, Rodari, Vose, Akinwande, Ufuah, Taylor, Christian-Law

Subs: Walters, Leblond, Walker, Legg, Thompson, Oyebola, Lubanga