Dover Athletic concluded their pre-season campaign with a 1–1 draw against Carshalton Athletic at the Megger Community Stadium, as Trent Rendall’s unusual second-half equaliser cancelled out the visitors’ opener.

The Whites began brightly and almost opened the scoring inside two minutes. Wilkinson played a defence-splitting pass into the path of Sheriff, who raced through and got his shot away, only for the assistant referee’s flag to bring the move to an end.

Rendall’s long throws also caused problems for the Carshalton defence. One delivery was only partially cleared to Wilkinson on the edge of the penalty area, but his volley skimmed narrowly wide.

Wilkinson and Sheriff combined again moments later, with the striker’s effort palmed away by the visiting goalkeeper. From the resulting corner, both Jones and Onu were presented with opportunities to head Dover ahead, although neither could direct the ball on target.

Carshalton offered their first threat from a corner after 15 minutes, which Walker dealt with confidently by punching clear.

Dover continued to create the better openings. A well-weighted ball over the defence released Sheriff, but the Carshalton goalkeeper reacted quickly and raced from his line to gather. Baptiste then produced an excellent outside-of-the-foot pass to send Sheriff into space, although his low ball across goal was intercepted before it could reach Onu.

Despite Dover’s encouraging start, it was the visitors who took the lead with their first meaningful attacking move in the 26th minute. Rendall appealed for a foul during the build-up, but play was allowed to continue and Carshalton capitalised to make it 1–0.

The Whites responded by delivering several dangerous crosses into the penalty area, but nobody was able to provide the decisive touch. Carshalton then came close to doubling their advantage when an effort bobbled narrowly beyond Walker’s far post.

Dover’s best chance of the half arrived two minutes before the interval. Onu found space inside the area and struck a low effort towards goal, but the goalkeeper made an impressive save with his foot. Onu went close again shortly afterwards, heading over the crossbar as the hosts entered the break one goal behind.

Leberl made his first change at half-time, introducing a trialist in place of Jallow.

Dover resumed on the front foot. Baptiste crossed towards Jones, whose header back across goal was intercepted by a Carshalton defender before a teammate could convert at the far post.

Onu continued to drive Dover forward, carrying the ball through midfield as part of another promising attacking move, but the Whites remained unable to find the finishing touch.

Sonny Fish replaced Wilkinson shortly after the hour, before Carshalton made three substitutions of their own.

Dover eventually drew level in the 71st minute through Rendall. The defender appeared to be delivering a chipped cross into the penalty area, but the ball continued to float over the goalkeeper and dropped into the top corner to make it 1–1.

The equaliser gave Dover renewed momentum. Onu broke through on goal three minutes later but dragged his shot wide of the post, missing the opportunity to complete the turnaround.

Kola Salami was introduced for Sheriff with ten minutes remaining as Dover continued to search for a winner.

Carshalton threatened from a dangerous free-kick in the 85th minute, but Walker read the delivery well and came quickly from his line to punch clear. Dover immediately attacked at the opposite end, where Salami’s effort was forced behind for a corner.

The Whites finished the contest with a good rhythm and won a late free-kick after Charles-Cook was fouled, but Carshalton held firm through two minutes of added time.

The draw brings Dover’s pre-season schedule to an end, with attention now turning to next Saturday’s opening National League South fixture away at Billericay Town.

Dover Squad: Walker, Charles-Cook, Jones, Rendall, Sesay, Bakrin, Jallow, Wilkinson, Sheriff, Onu, Baptiste

Subs: Bartlett, Fish, Salami, Fuller, Ezenwanne, Trialist