A HOME tie with Chelmsford City in the FA Trophy second round will be the reward if Dover win Tuesday’s replay against Dartford at Crabble.
And assistant manager Jake Leberl knows it will need an improved performance to get the job done.
The Kent derby ended 1-1 at Princes Park on Saturday after Ricky Miller’s first half opener was cancelled out by Ronnie Vint’s equaliser 13 minutes into the second half.
Leberl said: “I am certainly looking for a reaction from the lads as I felt we were not quite at it in the second half on Saturday.
“We were really good in at the start, but credit to Dartford, they really stuck at it and deserved a draw.
“To be honest, the last two performances have been disappointing, but it was only just over a week ago we were on a terrific run and hitting Sutton for six.
“Maybe some complacency has set in, so we need to work harder and stick together in order to get back to doing what we do best and hopefully that will start on Tuesday night.”
The Darts won’t have fond memories of their last visit to Crabble – they lost 6-1 in January 2015, their heaviest defeat against Whites in 13 years.
Tom Murphy (two), Nicky Deverdics, Richard Orlu, Liam Bellamy and Barry Cogan scored the goals.
DARTFORD’S RECENT FORM
Darts reached this stage of the competition after a 4-2 win at Weston-Super-Mare.
Elliot Bradbrook starred in Somerset, scoring a hat-trick while Andy Pugh got the other goal.
In their league campaign, Dartford are currently fourth on the National League South ladder.
RECENT MEETINGS
16/09/14: Dartford 2-1 Dover Athletic
17/01/15: Dover Athletic 6-1 Dartford
10/12/16: Dartford 1-1 Dover Athletic
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Dover Athletic wins: 35 Dartford wins: 32 Draws: 24
HITMEN
Whites’ top scorer in all competitions this season is Ricky Miller with 27.
He has scored in seven consecutive games following his goal at Darford on Saturday.
Miller’s strike partner Ross Lafayette has nine goals while Moses Emmanuel’s has eight to his name.
Bradbrook is Dartford’s leading man with six goals.
TEAM NEWS
Leberl said Leyton Orient loanee Sammy Moore is still struggling with a hamstring injury and the midfielder won’t be in contention after missing the past two games.
For Dartford, they will be missing central defender and former Dover loanee Tom Bonner through suspension.
Tom Gardiner and Andy Pugh both started last Saturday but were both substituted after picking up knocks.
COVERAGE
The game starts at 7.45pm but if you are unable to make it, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!
TUESDAY’S OTHER FA TROPHY REPLAYS
Barrow AFC v Harrogate Town
Brackley Town v AFC Fylde
Chester v Witton Albion
Woking v Ebbsfleet United
Weymouth v Whitehawk
Royston Town v Dulwich Hamlet
Wingate & Finchley v Wealdstone
North Leigh v South Park
Truro City v Forest Green Rovers
Maidstone United v Boreham Wood
Leiston v Bromley
LOOKING AHEAD
The Supporters Club are running a coach for the National League games at Forest Green Rovers and Maidstone United and details are as follows:
FOREST GREEN ROVERS (Saturday, December 17)
Coach leaves Crabble at 9am and the cost is as follows:
Adults Members £25, Adult Non Members £30 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.
MAIDSTONE UNITED (Sunday, January 1)
Coach leaves Crabble at 4.15pm and the cost is as follows:
Adults Members £10, Adult Non Members £15 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot tonight.