Dover Athletic were forced to settle for a point at Chesham United after the hosts fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw.

Euan Williams gave the Whites a first-half lead with a well-taken strike from the edge of the area before top scorer Sheriff doubled the advantage four minutes after the restart. Dover appeared to be in control, but Eze pulled one back midway through the second half before Karl Oliyide completed Chesham’s recovery seven minutes from time.

Dover made a positive start and won an early free-kick inside two minutes, although the delivery was blocked and cleared. The Whites maintained the pressure and earned the first corner of the afternoon a minute later, but Chesham dealt with the danger.

Williams then looked to release Sheriff in the eighth minute, sliding a ball through the home defence, but goalkeeper Goode was alert and came quickly from his line to collect.

Chesham offered their first threat moments later. Kasimu struck left-footed from the edge of the area and forced Walker into action, the Dover captain getting up strongly to beat the effort away before the hosts won a corner.

The resulting set-piece led to an opportunity for Dover to counter, only for Sheriff to be brought down as he looked to break forward. Chesham’s Alfie Williams was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon for the challenge.

Chances remained at a premium as both sides settled into the contest, but Sheriff produced Dover’s first meaningful effort on goal in the 19th minute. The forward tried his luck from distance and forced Goode into a diving save.

The game remained evenly poised through the middle of the half, with neither team able to establish sustained control. Chesham threatened from wide on 34 minutes when Lafleur found space to deliver a deep cross towards the far side of the area, but Jones rose above those around him to head clear.

Two minutes later, Dover found the breakthrough.

Andrews did well to retain possession on the edge of the Chesham box before laying the ball into the path of Williams. The midfielder met it first time and guided his effort beyond the reach of Goode and into the side netting to put the Whites 1-0 ahead.

Chesham looked for an immediate response, with Adebiyi driving an effort from distance narrowly over Walker’s crossbar four minutes later. The Dover goalkeeper was required again shortly before the interval, comfortably gathering another attempt as the Generals searched for an equaliser.

Dover saw out the remainder of the half and headed down the tunnel with Williams’ strike separating the sides.

Chesham began the second period with considerably more urgency and almost levelled within 30 seconds of the restart.

Oyenuga was unable to complete a clearance and the ball fell invitingly to Eze after good work from Fasanmade. Walker reacted sharply to gather the resulting effort and preserve Dover’s advantage.

That save proved even more important three minutes later as the Whites doubled their lead.

Sheriff and Andrews combined effectively on the counter-attack, allowing Sheriff to work himself into a shooting position. His first effort was kept out well by Goode, but Chesham were unable to clear the loose ball and it fell straight back to Dover’s number nine. Sheriff made no mistake at the second attempt, finding the far bottom corner to make it 2-0 after 49 minutes.

With their side facing a two-goal deficit, Chesham made a double change four minutes later and gradually began to increase the pressure on Dover. St Clair-Burton and Andrews were heavily involved as the hosts gained more possession in midfield and pushed the Whites deeper.

A free-kick from a promising position on the edge of the Dover area was sent over the bar just past the hour mark before Dover briefly threatened at the opposite end. Andrews rattled the crossbar from close range on 63 minutes, although the assistant referee’s flag was already raised for offside.

Three minutes later, Chesham were back in the contest.

The ball broke loose inside the Dover penalty area and Eze reacted quickest, driving his shot across Walker and into the far corner to halve the deficit.

The goal changed the momentum of the contest and the Generals immediately went searching for a second. Kasimu came agonisingly close on 70 minutes when a dangerous ball flashed across the face of Dover’s goal and narrowly evaded his outstretched boot.

Moments later, Chesham threatened again. Andrews released Oliyide and the resulting cross travelled dangerously across the six-yard area without a decisive touch.

Eze then produced another excellent opening for the hosts, forcing his way through the Dover defence before sending a low drive towards the bottom corner. Walker was down sharply to tip the ball wide and maintain the Whites’ slender advantage.

Leberl responded in the 75th minute with a double substitution as Andrews and Williams made way for Onu and Wilkinson.

Chesham continued to press and Dover survived another major scare almost immediately. Eze again drove low from the edge of the area and Walker pushed the effort away, with the loose ball dropping towards Oliyide at the back post. The substitute could not quite adjust his feet quickly enough to convert from close range.

Dover still carried a threat on the break and almost restored their two-goal cushion with 11 minutes remaining. Wilkinson delivered a teasing cross towards Sheriff, whose header was gathered by Goode.

But the pressure from the home side finally told in the 83rd minute.

Roberts produced an excellent diagonal pass from the right-back position to pick out Oliyide. The Chesham substitute controlled the ball on his chest before firing beyond Walker to complete the hosts’ comeback and bring the scores level at 2-2.

Four minutes of additional time were indicated as both sides searched for a late winner, but neither could find the decisive fifth goal.

Dover therefore left The Meadow with a point after surrendering a two-goal advantage, having put themselves in a commanding position through goals from Williams and Sheriff before Chesham’s second-half response.

The Whites return to the Megger Community Stadium on Saturday when Maidenhead United are the visitors.