A dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from Williams earned Dover Athletic a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Salisbury at the Ray Mac, as Jake Leberl’s side battled back from a goal down to take a share of the points.

The Whites looked destined to leave empty-handed after Nathan Odokonyero converted a penalty just moments into the second half, but a determined response saw Dover strike the crossbar and create several opportunities before Williams found the equaliser two minutes into added time.

Dover made a bright start and created the first opening after just two minutes. A long throw from Beadle caused problems for the Salisbury defence, with the ball eventually falling to Bates, whose effort from distance sailed well over the crossbar.

The hosts responded almost immediately, breaking forward to win the game’s first corner. Shortly afterwards, Hedges picked out Morgan with a well-weighted chipped pass, allowing the latter to deliver a dangerous low cross into the area. Gallagher met the delivery, but his effort was blocked by the Dover defence.

At the other end, Baptiste delivered an inviting cross towards Sheriff, although the striker was unable to direct his effort on target.

Both sides continued to threaten during an open start to proceedings, with Dover looking particularly dangerous down the flanks. However, Revan was on hand to deny Baptiste another opportunity in the eighth minute.

Wilson-Braithwaite received the game’s first booking after 17 minutes before Dover fashioned another promising attack. A well-worked move saw Beadle rise to meet the ball inside the penalty area, although the defender collided with Salisbury goalkeeper Henry in the process.

The hosts enjoyed a good spell midway through the half and came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark. Gallagher unleashed a powerful effort from distance, forcing Walker into an excellent save to preserve parity.

Dover responded six minutes later when Sheriff found space to race in behind the Salisbury defence. The forward managed to get his shot away from a tight angle, but could only find the side netting.

Salisbury continued to pose a threat, with Dabre seeing an effort blocked by the Dover defence shortly before the interval.

Despite opportunities at both ends, neither side could find a breakthrough during the opening 45 minutes, and the teams headed into the break goalless.

The second half, however, began in disastrous fashion for Dover.

Within seconds of the restart, Salisbury were awarded a penalty after Dabre was brought down inside the area. Substitute Odokonyero stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, sending Walker the wrong way as he placed his effort into the bottom-left corner to give the hosts a 47th-minute lead.

Dover looked for an immediate response and almost found one five minutes later. A scramble inside the Salisbury penalty area presented the visitors with an opportunity to level, but they were unable to force the ball over the line, with Dabre making a crucial intervention to preserve his side’s advantage.

Leberl turned to his bench just after the hour, introducing Hassan in place of Sheriff, before Andrews replaced Baptiste seven minutes later as Dover searched for a way back into the contest.

The changes helped Dover build momentum, with the visitors enjoying a sustained spell of pressure as the game entered its final quarter.

Hassan looked particularly lively down the left and tested the Salisbury goalkeeper with an effort on target after 75 minutes. Dover continued to push forward and came agonisingly close moments later when another effort struck the outside of the post.

The Whites went even closer in the 76th minute as Wilson-Braithwaite unleashed a thunderous effort that cannoned back off the crossbar, leaving Salisbury fortunate to retain their slender advantage.

With Dover now firmly on the front foot, Leberl made a further double change, introducing Sesay and Fish in place of Bakrin and Bates with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

Salisbury continued to defend their lead, and goalkeeper Henry produced an important intervention in the 84th minute, claiming a dangerous ball played towards a Dover forward before the visitors could capitalise.

As the contest entered four minutes of added time, it appeared Dover’s efforts would go unrewarded.

However, two minutes into stoppage time, Williams struck to bring the Whites level and spark celebrations among the travelling Dover contingent.

The late equaliser was a deserved reward for Dover’s persistence, having dominated much of the latter stages and twice been denied by the woodwork.

There was little time remaining for either side to find a winner, and the final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, with Dover taking a point from their trip to Wiltshire.

The Whites return to the Megger Community Stadium on Tuesday evening when they welcome Chelmsford City in the National League South.

Dover Athletic XI: Walker, Charles-Cook, Jones, Beadle, Bakrin, Wilson-Braithwaite, Williams, Bates, Baptiste, Soares-Junior, Sheriff.

Subs: Wilkinson, Jallow, Sesay, Ezenwanne, Fish, Andrews, Hassan.

Salisbury XI: Henry, Morgan, Ellison, Revan, Sommerton, Ogunleye, Dabre, Bradbury, Gallagher, Hedges, Bartolo.

Subs: Beard, Russe, Odokonyero, Alonge, Sivi, Scott, McIntyre.